tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2811445339873576022018-03-18T04:15:53.270-07:00Proudly Afro...by an all Nigerian girl to keep you inspired...Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-4438625950938427712018-01-13T16:49:00.004-08:002018-01-13T17:00:19.232-08:00The Empty Bottle<div dir="ltr">&nbsp; &nbsp;For a long while, I kept seeing this bottle in my mind.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline !important; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN49YcrDTVA/WlqpXjjmmlI/AAAAAAAABH0/3c8pZ216T1gLY5MKkNnOvlqA5k8bxzigACLcBGAs/s1600/41qmmvoVCaL._SY355_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TN49YcrDTVA/WlqpXjjmmlI/AAAAAAAABH0/3c8pZ216T1gLY5MKkNnOvlqA5k8bxzigACLcBGAs/s320/41qmmvoVCaL._SY355_.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><i></i>Initially, it was half-full. Then it kept reducing as the days went by till it eventually became empty. I was worried...that bottle&nbsp; represented me, it represented my spirit.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Yes, I knew I was a born again Christian. Yet, I felt empty like something was missing. I was not feeling fulfilled, joyful or purposeful. My Christianity had become just a religion. Going to church, evangelism, serving, praying for lost souls had all become dragging activities. I was at my lowest point and I kept wondering how I would get back that revival fire that made me feel so alive, joyful and purposeful. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBkuLViAHyg/WlqpaK6jN6I/AAAAAAAABIE/cniiNN_53qU1nd4ZuReHLsM_lQeMuFcVgCEwYBhgL/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="431" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBkuLViAHyg/WlqpaK6jN6I/AAAAAAAABIE/cniiNN_53qU1nd4ZuReHLsM_lQeMuFcVgCEwYBhgL/s320/images.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Even God seemed far away, like a Supreme Being far up in heaven. I couldn't feel Him; I wasn't close to Him anymore.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I remembered that three years ago, the reverse had been the case. By the time I left secondary school, I was born again. I had a relationship with God and Jesus and prayed to them everyday. But I didn't immediately enter the Uni and was at home for a year. Because of the ample time I had then, I did a lot of exploring including discovering and learning more<span style="color: black;"> about God. That period, I came across books on the Holy Spirit written by men of God like Benny Hinn, Chris Oyakhilome and Chris Kwapovwe. For the first time, I learnt that the Holy Spirit was a person, just like God the Father and the Son. Before then, I used to think He was like a wind, dove or fire that gave people gifts and made people speak in tongues. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FffpYuhkQQw/WlqpfGj4AyI/AAAAAAAABIE/zoEB1cuolIg4NfTfRslSC2-YqBPJUeBhgCEwYBhgL/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="284" data-original-width="517" height="175" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FffpYuhkQQw/WlqpfGj4AyI/AAAAAAAABIE/zoEB1cuolIg4NfTfRslSC2-YqBPJUeBhgCEwYBhgL/s320/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: black;">Like a person, we could have a relationship with Him. He's still God and not just something God the Father uses to touch the lives of people. One of those books asked, "Are you ready to have a relationship with Him? Do you want to let Him into your life?" The moment I said 'yes', I knew it was the start of a relationship with someone I knew so little about.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black;">During prayer time, I made sure&nbsp; I had the 'Talking time' when I just talked to God without asking about anything. I began talking with the Holy Spirit as a person. I jut wanted to know Him, I was curious about the most 'spirited' of the Trinity. I found out that He was actually a person! He was like a friend that always seemed so happy, open and playful. He was that kind of person you could talk and laugh with. I talked to Him about everything including unnecessary trivial things. I asked Him many questions and He gave me answers. Prayer time became Conversation time. I began to feel happy and revived. There was that revival fire that kept burning in my soul. For the first time, I began to pray not just for myself and my family, but for others like wartorn countries, the sexually abused, the depressed, the poor. I did it even in the family prayers, my mum commented one day, "Ihuoma can pray for the world, eh." He gave me desire to read my Bible and to actually understand it. No longer did the Bible seem like&nbsp; a book written by 'The Oga at the top' to dictate how we should live our lives. When I read it, it was like someone was talking to you through a letter. It opened my eyes to the meanings behind each verse. I could see God as a person not just 'The Big Guy Up stairs'. He had feelings too; He could be happy, hurt, jealous, angry, forgiving and loving. The Holy Spirit gave me ideas and inspiration. He showed me my purpose. I felt so happy, purposeful and completed. Because of that, I always looked forward to prayer/conversation time.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><span style="color: black;">Then I entered the Uni. Of course I was still born again. The fire was still fresh. I went to church, joined fellowships, led people to Christ...but I made one mistake: I stopped having my quiet/talking time with the Holy Spirit. I was no longer Mary that just wanted to sit and talk with Him, I had become Martha instead. I was just so busy with school and religious activities, so I neglected my relationship with the Holy Spirit. I call this Martha's Syndrome. Gradually and unknowingly at fist, I stopped feeling revived. It started in my first year, progressed into my second year and was worse by my third year. I attended all the church programmes and fellowships I could but nothing could revive me back. I knew something was wrong somewhere. I was a Christian but I felt empty like an empty bottle. There was no fire, revival or passion. I sought for a cure.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black;">Then one Yule Tide season, I came across Benny Hinn's book: 'Good Morning, Holy Spirit'. Reluctantly I picked it up to read because I had already read it before...but I was desperate. While reading, He said something that struck me:</span><br /><span style="color: black;">"What&nbsp; happens&nbsp; to&nbsp; a&nbsp; marriage&nbsp; when&nbsp; one&nbsp; partner&nbsp; ignores the&nbsp; other?&nbsp; After&nbsp; a&nbsp; short&nbsp; period&nbsp; of&nbsp; time&nbsp; bitterness&nbsp; begins&nbsp; to enter&nbsp; the&nbsp; heart.&nbsp; Words&nbsp; begin&nbsp; to&nbsp; cut&nbsp; like&nbsp; a&nbsp; sharp&nbsp; knife.&nbsp; Soon the&nbsp; animosity&nbsp; turns&nbsp; to&nbsp; anger,&nbsp; jealousy,&nbsp; and&nbsp; even&nbsp; worse.&nbsp; For many&nbsp; it&nbsp; results&nbsp; in&nbsp; separation,&nbsp; divorce,&nbsp; and&nbsp; hatred.&nbsp; But&nbsp; the rift&nbsp; can&nbsp; so&nbsp; easily&nbsp; be&nbsp; mended.&nbsp; All&nbsp; it&nbsp; takes&nbsp; is&nbsp; a&nbsp; fresh&nbsp; surrender that&nbsp; comes&nbsp; from&nbsp; your&nbsp; very&nbsp; soul.&nbsp; And&nbsp; a&nbsp; renewing&nbsp; of&nbsp; the&nbsp; vow to "love,&nbsp; honor, and cherish." The&nbsp; same&nbsp; thing&nbsp; will&nbsp; happen&nbsp; if&nbsp; you&nbsp; neglect&nbsp; the&nbsp; Lord. You&nbsp; will&nbsp; develop&nbsp; bitterness&nbsp; and&nbsp; anger.&nbsp; Suddenly&nbsp; you&nbsp; will be&nbsp; out&nbsp; of&nbsp; fellowship&nbsp; with&nbsp; the&nbsp; Lord.&nbsp; That's&nbsp; what&nbsp; happened&nbsp; to the&nbsp; children&nbsp; of&nbsp; Israel&nbsp; in&nbsp; the&nbsp; wilderness.&nbsp; They&nbsp; began&nbsp; to complain,&nbsp; "If&nbsp; only&nbsp; we&nbsp; had&nbsp; died&nbsp; in&nbsp; the&nbsp; land&nbsp; of&nbsp; Egypt!&nbsp; Or&nbsp; if only&nbsp; we&nbsp; had&nbsp; died&nbsp; in&nbsp; this&nbsp; wilderness!&nbsp; Why&nbsp; has&nbsp; the&nbsp; LORD brought&nbsp; us&nbsp; to&nbsp; this&nbsp; land&nbsp; to&nbsp; fall&nbsp; by&nbsp; the&nbsp; sword?"&nbsp; (Num. 14:2-3).&nbsp; And&nbsp; the&nbsp; Lord&nbsp; said&nbsp; to&nbsp; Moses&nbsp; and&nbsp; Aaron,&nbsp; "How&nbsp; long shall&nbsp; I&nbsp; bear&nbsp; with&nbsp; this&nbsp; evil&nbsp; congregation&nbsp; who&nbsp; murmur&nbsp; against Me?" (v. 27). The&nbsp; children&nbsp; of&nbsp; Israel&nbsp; went&nbsp; from&nbsp; saying,&nbsp; "The&nbsp; Lord&nbsp; is God,"&nbsp; to&nbsp; complaining,&nbsp; "Wouldn't&nbsp; it&nbsp; be&nbsp; better&nbsp; to&nbsp; return&nbsp; to Egypt?"&nbsp; What&nbsp; caused&nbsp; the&nbsp; change?&nbsp; They&nbsp; stopped&nbsp; seeking Him,&nbsp; and&nbsp; their&nbsp; hearts&nbsp; became&nbsp; hardened.&nbsp; And&nbsp; before&nbsp; they understood what&nbsp; was&nbsp; happening,&nbsp; they had&nbsp; forsaken&nbsp; Him. Don't&nbsp; let&nbsp; a&nbsp; day&nbsp; go&nbsp; by&nbsp; without&nbsp; a&nbsp; fresh&nbsp; surrender&nbsp; to&nbsp; the Lord.&nbsp;&nbsp; Paul&nbsp; wrote,&nbsp; "Even&nbsp; though&nbsp; our&nbsp; outward&nbsp; man&nbsp; is perishing,&nbsp; yet&nbsp; the&nbsp; inward&nbsp; man&nbsp; is&nbsp; being&nbsp; renewed&nbsp; day by&nbsp; day" (2&nbsp; Cor.&nbsp; 4:16).&nbsp; Surrender&nbsp; must&nbsp; be&nbsp; continual,&nbsp; a&nbsp; never-ending emptying&nbsp; of&nbsp; self&nbsp; to&nbsp; the&nbsp; Lord.&nbsp; And&nbsp; once&nbsp; you&nbsp; make&nbsp; it&nbsp; a&nbsp; habit, you'll&nbsp;&nbsp; begin&nbsp; to&nbsp; experience&nbsp; God's&nbsp; perfect&nbsp; union,&nbsp; perfect fellowship, perfect&nbsp; understanding,&nbsp; and&nbsp; perfect&nbsp; love. I&nbsp; believe&nbsp; it&nbsp; is&nbsp; God's&nbsp; will&nbsp; for&nbsp; you&nbsp; to&nbsp; be&nbsp; continually&nbsp; filled with&nbsp; the&nbsp; Holy&nbsp; Spirit.."</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><span style="color: black;">Then it dawned on me. All these while I had been feeling empty, it was because I had neglected my relationship with the Holy Spirit. For me to be always filled, I had to constantly be in His presence. From that moment on, I decided that I had to start my relationship with the Holy Spirit, all over again. It was like I had become born again, again. Talking to Him seemed new. It was like talking with some one you meet for the fist time. You would talk cautiously until you're free enough around the person to be yourself and talk about anything. Gradually, I began to feel revived once again. I began to ask Him questions about different things and He answered me. When I felt down, He comforted me. He reminded me about my purpose and began guiding me.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="color: black;">Gradually, the revival fire flickered and began burning again; I began to pray for souls as before. I began to feel happy, purposeful and complete once again...slowly but surely. Like a child, I was growing....again.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrVf52rbuQA/Wlqpc6Oln8I/AAAAAAAABIE/qCrrPOyJku8PY8OlhI0hYycFpQnr7tGIQCEwYBhgL/s1600/593b1e0c3e3eb.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IrVf52rbuQA/Wlqpc6Oln8I/AAAAAAAABIE/qCrrPOyJku8PY8OlhI0hYycFpQnr7tGIQCEwYBhgL/s320/593b1e0c3e3eb.image.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So if I may ask, do you sometimes have symptoms like: sadness/depression, feelings of emptiness like something is missing in your life, feelings of purposelessness, having lots of questions about the circumstances surrounding you, feeling that serving God is a chore, spiritual laziness/emptiness/shallowness, Martha's Syndrome. If you have most or all of these symptoms, the most likely diagnosis is that: your bottle (spirit) is empty of oil (the Holy Spirit/revival). Don't worry, the prognosis is good. The treatment I would recommend is that you start developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit. Dosage: At least once daily, preferably during your prayer/quiet time. Prayer time shouldn't just be a time we go and pour out our requests to God and run off in faith. It should also be a time we talk to God, especially the Holy Spirit. Discuss with Him, ask Him questions, worship Him, spend time with Him as long as you like and also importantly, listen to Him. He would answer your questions, help, teach,guide and comfort you when you're broken; that's why He's called the Comforter.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><span style="color: black;">Hopefully, as you begin this treatment regimen and never stop, your bottle would always be filled.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br /><span style="color: black;"><u>Leviticus 6:12a:</u></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><i>"The fire on that altar shall be kept burning...It shall not go out...."</i></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImJJA6-UMF4/Wlqrilmi14I/AAAAAAAABIM/QBvdu8-DV3gc9xEvsOLvdSFdCaD6g4eIQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="384" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImJJA6-UMF4/Wlqrilmi14I/AAAAAAAABIM/QBvdu8-DV3gc9xEvsOLvdSFdCaD6g4eIQCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%25282%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-87237826047415416132017-12-09T16:28:00.000-08:002017-12-09T16:46:20.421-08:00Words that brought to where I am<div dir="ltr"><u><b><u>Words that brought me to where I am</u></b></u></div><div dir="ltr"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v46KWKtORM/WiyDnKQ4v0I/AAAAAAAAASw/INcWSrMHilwJaXUToAZQe9muQRVCvFuPACLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v46KWKtORM/WiyDnKQ4v0I/AAAAAAAAASw/INcWSrMHilwJaXUToAZQe9muQRVCvFuPACLcBGAs/s320/images.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><b><u><br /></u></b>When God told Joshua in,<br /><u>Joshua 1:2 </u>: Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelite across the Jordan river into the land I am giving them..."<br />And in verse,<br /><u>12: </u> Then Joshua called together the tribes and said...[14] But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with them[15] until the Lord gives them rest as He has given you rest, and until they too, possess the land the Lord your God, is giving them. Only then may you return and settle..."<br />&nbsp; I realised something from the above passage: it was all about helping and teaching people on how to succeed in the areas you have had success in....<br />*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; *<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; I was really excited when I first came into medical school. I didn't let the excitement get the better of me though. I read my books and worked hard but as the exams drew near, fear set in.<br /><i>'Will I pass my exams? What if my results get missing? What if I fail and get kicked out of medical school?'</i></div><div dir="ltr"><i><br /></i>All sorts of negative thoughts ran through my mind that period.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">One day, I went for our usual once-a-week fellowship for year one Christian medical and dental students. In the course of the gathering, a senior colleague who had been invited, came up to speak to us. I don't remember all that he said but I didn't forget this part:<br />"<i>I want to encourage you all that you can do it. You can serve God faithfully and still do well in school. Look at me for instance. In my year one, I had all As in my results. If I can do it, why can't you?"</i><br />My eyes nearly popped out! <i>How could someone have all As? </i>But there was I standing before a living proof. If he could do it, then so can I! That day, I began to believe it was possible.<br />So despite all my fears before, during and after my first ever university exams, those words of that senior colleague kept me going. '<i>If I could do it, so can you!' </i>I worked hard. After the exams, I prayed fervently and daily for 'As' more out of fear than faith though. That first semester, I had all 'As' except for two courses. The second semester, they were all As. That senior colleague may have forgotten that day but I haven't. His words stuck with me then...it still does. I can do all things through Christ in me, so I won't be afraid.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; Year one ended and the long vacation began. During the vacation, I attended tutorials organised by our senior colleagues for us as we prepared to begin preclinicals proper. One of those days, a senior colleague came to tutor us. He was in year 5 then. I can't recall what he taught us that day but I'll always remember his words: <br /><i>"You probably all know I read a lot. One day I read so much, I read for 23 hours straight!(chuckles)&nbsp; I promised myself to never do that again but let me tell you something I do before I go to the next class. When I was in year 2, I would go to year 3 class to pray and declare by faith that by next year, I would be in this very class. There is so much that with hardwork, conviction and faith we can accomplish. Before you get to the next class, envision yourself there. Believe in yourself and never doubt. Personally, I have never repeated any class..."</i><br />Those words struck me and had ever since remained with me. Okay, I didn't follow that part of going to the next class to decree and declare but I always believed that if he could do it, then so can I! Ever since, I believed in the possibility of going though medial school without getting 'WAFed' (Withdrawn for Academic Failure) and without necessarily repeating a class.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />&nbsp;&nbsp; Eventually I got to year 3. This class was scarier and more stressful than the previous classes because this was the class I was to take my first ever professional exams(MBBS) but that was not the worst part. I had always heard that it was this MB exam that got many people out of medical school. Mehn...that period of preparing for my first ever professional exam was my most stressful, tiring and depressing moments in medical school. What really kept me going was my talks with God and listening to Hillsong's soothing music.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">During the preparation for our MB, our test(CA) scores for each course which accounted for 30 marks were released. For one particular course, I was the highest. The news spread like wildfire not just because it was a 26 over 30 score but also because some people didn't expect that score to be coming from me. Naturally, I was happy but became even more pressurised and scared. <i>'What if after this good score, I fail and get a resit?'</i></div><div dir="ltr"><i><br /></i>Not long after, I got a call from a senior colleague to see him. He was in year 4 then and was one of their best. I felt curious on why he wanted to see me and a bit honoured. We eventually met and talked. As you will guess, I can't remember all that he told me that day but I remember this:<br /><i>"Do you think that God would give you such a good test score like that for nothing? Would He give you that only to you to fail or simply pass averagely? Look, you must believe that you will not only pass but pass with a distinction. As you have been doing, put in your best. You are already getting there. At the end of this MB exam, I want you to tell me that you have a distinction."</i><br />Thanks sir for adding to the pressure. Not only was the news round my class but it had got to the other classes as well. <i>"But I'm not even sure of passing talk less of a distinction!" </i>But still...I pondered on his words. Would God bring me this far only to fail me? During that MB exam period, his words helped give me courage and hope. I worked and prayed hard. And yes, I got a distinction in that course.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Another thing happened that period. Our senior colleagues in the Christian medical and dental fellowship organised a pre-MB programme for my class. Unfortunately, I came late and I mean towards the end of that programme. So, I practically missed the main thing but I was able to get a card from them. Written on it were the words: '<i>He shall order your steps to every paper you write.' </i>Not much words but it made a huge impact on me. I believed that I was not alone, that God would see me through: the MB exam preparation, in the exam hall and after the exam. I believed that the God that began a good work in me will see it through completion which He did and is still doing. Eventually, I passed the exam, though I still have the pamphlet. Medical school is not yet over after all, even though I wish I was already <i>'there'.</i> There are still more classes and exams to pass but I know God would see me through as He has always done.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />There are many people who talked to me whether individually or in a group but their words have always remained with me. Those words always gives me courage to forge ahead. Nobody helped me read my books or write my exams but their words helped me succeed.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">I can remember when I was in secondary school, in the boarding house. On visiting days, my parents would come to see me. Then, they would tell me:"<i>Do your best dear. We believe you can do it. We believe in you... " </i>I excelled then, not just because I liked it, but also because their were people who believed in me and encouraged me.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />From all these instances, I've learnt that just talking to people, encouraging, mentoring and advising them on how to succeed in an area may just be enough for them to succeed! Dr Ben Carson touched my life, not because I was once his patient, but because of his words found in his books like: 'Think Big' and 'Gifted Hands'. So also did Fela Durotoye in his book: '17 secrets of high flying students'. I encourage everyone to read these books.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />&nbsp; You've probably learnt one or two things from my story but just to emphasize some important points:</div><div dir="ltr"><br />1. If you have succeeded in one path, show others the way. Encourage them, cheer them on, talk to them, mentor, believe in them and pray for them.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />2. It is said that: 'A man cannot be bigger than his dream'. Reach for the stars! You can achieve even the seemingly impossible if you believe you can and work hard.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />3. That other people failed does not mean that you will fail too and even if you did, get up and keep on trying. Never give up on yourself! Thomas Edison made 999 failed experiments before he finally succeeded in creating the light bulb.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />4. Stress, depression and anxiety will come at one point in school or in some point in your life. That's life. During those periods, be courageous and forge ahead(Joshua 1). If you're facing it, God knows you can handle it. During such times, talk to God, seek advice and help from counsellors/mentors/believers/a trusted someone. (And just to add what I do in such times too: listen to Hillsong's soothing music or any other uplifting music).</div><div dir="ltr"><br />&nbsp; So my dear, you won't fail. I believe in you, that you can and will succeed in the future. Amen.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v46KWKtORM/WiyDnKQ4v0I/AAAAAAAAASw/INcWSrMHilwJaXUToAZQe9muQRVCvFuPACLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4v46KWKtORM/WiyDnKQ4v0I/AAAAAAAAASw/INcWSrMHilwJaXUToAZQe9muQRVCvFuPACLcBGAs/s320/images.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-20823092123497648732017-10-30T14:39:00.000-07:002017-10-30T14:39:21.248-07:00Nwakaego<div dir="ltr"><span>&nbsp;</span><br /><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It was a night of celebration. Many people had come for Ifeanyi and Nneka’s wedding at Umuji village. Finally, the wedding ended. The newly wedded couple now had time alone together.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“I’ve waited this long for you,” Ifeanyi told his wife holding her lovingly.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Me too,” Nneka whisphered.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>He kissed her. “Darling, did you lock the door?”</span><br /><span>Suddenly, five boys burst in holding guns. The couple could not scream for fear of the guns. The intruders had their way with the bride and left as soon as it was over. It was no longer a happy wedding night but a night of terror. The next morning, the whole village heard about it. Things would never be the same for this couple.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>One day, Nneka broke the silence, “Darling, do you still love me?”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Ifeanyi was silent for a while. “I…don’t know.”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>By then, her protruding belly was obvious. The following day, she left for the city.</span><br /><span>&nbsp; </span><br /><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The city life was new and difficult for Nneka. There was nowhere to go till she eventually met a ‘nice’ Madam who helped and gave her a one-room apartment in her yard. Time went by and Nneka put to bed a daughter. She named her, Nwakaego meaning a child is more important than money.</span><br /><span>Later on, the ‘nice’ Madam began demanding for her rent.</span><br /><span>“I don’t have any job!” Nneka cried.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Then, you have to work for me!” Madam snapped.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nneka had no choice. She had a rent to pay and a daughter to take care of. So, she began ‘working’ for Madam.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego grew and was fortunate to go to school and wear nice clothes unlike her mates in the yard. This sparked up envy among them.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Na because your mama dey follow men!’ one girl lashed at her in furious jealousy when Nwakaego showed the girl her new wristwatch.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>It hurt Nwakaego deeply but it also opened her eyes to some things she never really took notice of. She noticed the revealing clothes her mother wore daily, her many male friends, her late nights out….&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span>&nbsp;Then she noticed her mother lose weight and complain of being sick. It became so serious, she had to go to the hospital.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One day, Madam picked her up from school.</span><br /><span>“Your mother wants to see you,” she explained to a surprised Nwakaego.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Her mother was in the hospital bed. Nwakaego gasped when she saw her mother. She looked just like the AIDS patients she saw in her textbooks. Her mother could hardly move and struggled to talk; she began crying.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Nwakaego, I’m so sorry… but I did all these because I loved you.”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego too cried and held tight to her frail mother. She spent the rest of that day with her sick mother. When dusk came, Madam insisted that she leave the hospital; she had to prepare for school the following day. Amidst tears, mother and daughter kissed each other good bye. It would be the last time she saw her mother.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>One day, Madam called Nwakaego. “Your mother is dead,” she told her plainly.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Throughout that day, Nwakaego cried.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>As usual, she continued going to school until she was made to stop because she had not paid her fees. She ran to Madam for help.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“If you need money, you must work for me,” Madam said matter-of-factly.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego agreed but it was not what she expected. At only age twelve, she was introduced into prostitution. Madam paid her money enough for only the rent and feeding. When she turned eighteen, she decided she was big enough to stand on her own and left Madam and the yard she had lived in all her life.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>This time, she ‘worked’ for herself and was able to rent a one-room apartment in Diobu, the ghetto part of the city. She was well known as a ‘runs-girl’ in that area for her ‘work’ and never lacked customers. Even the so-called soul winners seemed to know her kind of work especially one Father Amadi who came every Saturday morning for evangelism. The most annoying part was that his messages always seemed to be directed at her.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Give your life to Christ now,” he would cry over his microphone, “If Christ comes now, would you make heaven?”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Such talk never moved her. She had longed stopped believing in God. Why would God allow her to go through such a hard life?</span><br /><span>One day, while on her ‘night duty’, a rickety car stopped by her. The driver had broken teeth, a blind eye and reeked of alcohol and marijuana.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Babe, come na. I go pay you well,” he drawled.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego was really repulsed by him. </span><br /><span>“You of all human beings?” she snickered, “Dog beta pass you. Abeg, no be me and you.”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>His countenance changed in anger. “Wetin you mean by that?” he growled.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego simply hissed and began walking away from the due-for-repair car.</span><br /><span>“Get her into the car!” she heard him order someone.</span><br /><span>Without warning, she was overpowered and her face was covered by a drugged handkerchief. She could not scream as she was immediately gagged, and even if she could, no one would hear her. It was a lonely street at a dangerous hour of the night. She could sense being hauled into a car back seat before slipping into unconsciousness.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When she woke up, she found herself lying on a bed in a nice bedroom. “Where am I?” she wondered.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Just then, a plump-looking man came in. She recognised him.</span><br /><span>“Father Amadi,” she croaked weakly, “Where am I?”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“In my house dear,” he replied standing by her bedside. “I found you lying unconsciously on the road on my way home from a night vigil. You had only a top on.”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Nwakaego could only imagine what could have happened the previous night. She closed her eyes in shame.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“It is well, my daughter,” he comforted stroking her head.</span><br /><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Father Amadi was the residing reverend in the Catholic church just close to his house. He took care of Nwakaego and talked to her about God. One day, he told her the story about the adulterous woman in the bible whom Jesus forgave in John 8:1-11.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“Nwakaego, Jesus loves you and forgave you. Why not come to Him?”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>But Nwakaego did not. She found it difficult to believe in a God who had let her pass through so much. Still, she wondered if Father Amadi was right. He said he was an imitator of Christ. He was very caring and forgiving. Could Jesus be like that too?</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Father Amadi was a voracious reader and had a library in his house. Whenever she was bored, she would read the books there. She began to read the Bible but still had her doubts. She read Francine Rivers’ ‘Redeeming Love’. She cried after reading it; the protagonist’s life was like hers. She also read about Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou. Both had been rape victims but did not allow that to stop them from becoming something in life. She came across newspapers with stories about girls who committed suicide after being raped. She was saddened by their tragic ends and felt their lives would have had a better ending had they got back on their feet.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>&nbsp; She was reading the bible one day when she came across a passage in Deuteronomy 30:19-20a: “Today, I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live. You can make this choice by loving the Lord, your God, obeying Him and committing yourself to Him….”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Right there, she chose life.</span><br /><span>One Sunday service, she entered the church where Father Amadi preached.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>“2 Corinthians 5:17,” he was saying, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>Yes, she believed in Jesus. That day, she gave her life to Christ.</span><br /><span>With Father Amadi’s encouragement, she became a counsellor in church especially for the young girls. Through that, she was able to reach out to many broken girls and women. Then church members noticed her gift and began to invite her to speak in religious organisations, schools and conferences. Later on, she started an NGO for sexually abused and rape victims. With the many donations to her NGO, she was able to give out scholarships to female students from poor families as well as start-up capitals to promising female entrepreneurs who had neither jobs nor any business.</span></div><div dir="ltr"><span><br /></span><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whenever she was invited anywhere to give a talk, she would always emphasise, “Anyone who believes in Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! Your past does not determine your future; your present does! So, take positive steps today, so that your tomorrow would be better than your yesterday!”</span></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-74909740457304300922017-10-30T14:26:00.000-07:002017-10-30T14:27:26.505-07:00The Kalabari's Iria<div dir="ltr"><u><b>The </b></u><b><u>Kalabari’s</u></b><b><u> </u></b><b><u><u>Iria</u></u></b><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Onyinyechi scrolled through her Mother’s What’s App contacts. She was going through each of them. One of them shocked her.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Onyi, what are you doing with my phone?” Mother asked as soon as she saw Onyinyechi.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Onyinyechi was too distracted to respond to that question.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Mummy, your young friend Aunty Ibufuro has gained so much weight just after her first child and why is she doing her traditional wedding again?”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Mother took her phone from her and looked at Aunty Ibufuro’s What’s App profile picture.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Oh, that’s not her wedding. It’s just her Iria.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Iria?” Onyinyechi was confused.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Mother sighed knowing she had a lot of explaining to do.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Iria is an important ceremony by the Kalabari people. Kalabari is an ethnic group in the South-Western part of Rivers State. It is made up of three local government areas: Akuku-Toru, Degema and Asari-Toru which is the traditional headquarters.<br />The Iria cultural dance is displayed at important occasions such as chieftaincy installations, marriage and burials. It is also performed after the ‘fattening room’ period. The delivery of the baby – usually the first child- marks the beginning of the preparations for the fattening room. The new mother – the Iriabo- is confined to a ‘fattening room’ for three to six months, depending on the financial capacity of her husband. During this period, she is pampered and receives many gifts and food items. She is served delicacies like ‘onunu’, ‘isila’ and ‘ikili-odu’. She is expected to gain weight – in fact, it’s a proof of beauty and that her husband has taken care of her well. She would be taught dance steps to showcase at the Iria cultural dance. For the dance ceremony, she would be dressed in the typical Kalabari traditional attire.<br />A wrapper – George or Indian- would be wrapped around her waist like a full skirt, and a piece around her chest area. Her neck, thighs, ankles, arms and waist, would be adorned with coral beads. She would also hold a saucer on one hand and a walking stick on the other hand. She would dance to the admiration of all, to the beats of drums and songs of the women. Some spectators even shower her with money or even traditional clothes. Later, the guests and families would be served sumptuous meals and various drinks.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Onyinyechi was fascinated. “But is this necessary seeing the whole process is expensive and time-consuming?”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Mother bobbed her head in thought. “Perhaps it’s not compulsory or it is… You see, men whose wives do not go through this process are ridiculed most at times. The dance attests that the husband is able to take care of his wife. That is why the Iria is held in high esteem.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Onyinyechi nodded as she took this in. “This Iria sounds interesting. I would like to see one someday.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“If you marry a Kalabari man you will do it,” Mother said smiling.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Onyinyechi shrugged. “Maybe, but I will go on a weight loss diet after that.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Mother burst into laughter at this and Onyinyechi could not help joining in.</div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-30941502194974727802017-10-30T14:20:00.000-07:002017-10-30T14:20:45.059-07:00Traditional burial in some parts of Ikwerre<div dir="ltr">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;One Saturday morning, Oyinyechi and her mother paid a visit to Mrs Woke, the wife of the deceased – Mr Woke.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr"><br /></div><div dir="ltr">Mr Woke had been a ‘Knight’ while Mrs Woke had been a ‘Lady’ in the Anglican church that Onyinyechi and her family also attended. The burial had taken place in Omademe, a part of Ikwerre Local Government Area, so Onyinyechi and her mother had to travel all the way from Port Harcourt to the Wokes’ family house in Omademe. The couple was well known in church, so the house was filled with church members, as well as their relatives and friends, helping in the house and comforting Mrs Woke. After paying condolences to Mrs Woke, Onyinyechi and her mother headed back to the city.<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr">“Thank God for Christianity,” Mother said on the drive home.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Hmmn…Why do you say that?” Onyinyechi asked curiously.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“I said that because Christianity has helped in removing some unfair traditional practices. In the past, widows suffered greatly in the hands of their in-laws and even their family members during the burial rites of their deceased husbands.<br />The widow would be dressed in black and would be escorted by a more senior widow to climb the Ojo. Ojo means bad. The Ojo is an elevated platform built from the Oturu tree. A long bamboo is then mounted by the side of the Ojo, on which the deceased’s Oha (red cap) and his old clothes are hung. This showed that the deceased belonged to the Oha – the company of leaders with the highest title in the land. The corpse of the deceased would be placed on this Ojo and there would the widow and her escort remain till the following day, when the corpse would be buried.<br /> As she is seated on the Ojo, she was expected to cry for her late husband. Those around her – mainly women- would try to make her laugh even up to tickling her! If she laughed, she would be made to pay a fine for committing such an abomination.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“But that’s not fair!” Onyinyechi chirped in, piqued, “That means she always has to put on an act of sadness and force herself to cry. It’s not easy at all and those tickling her are just making things difficult for her.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />Mother shrugged. “It was the practice then. The widow would be made to carry a machete with a small padlock tied to it anywhere she went with the belief that it would protect the widow from bad spirits. The widow’s hair, toe and finger nails would be cut and put in her late husband’s grave. In some cases, during and after the burial of the husband, the widow was beaten and forced to sleep on plantain leaves or mats spread on the floor. Throughout the mourning period, which was usually for a year, the widow was forced to wear sack cloth, walk barefoot, prohibited from entering any vehicle and forbidden from entering another relationship with a man. If a widow happens to die during this mourning period, it was regarded as an abomination and she was denied a befitting burial. Strangely too, such traditions were usually enforced by fellow women who may have acted out of jealousy or revenge.”</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“So, such practices have stopped now because of Christianity?” Onyinyechi asked hopefully.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“I believe such practices are rare now or are now of the past.” Mother replied.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />There was silence as the car drove on.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Thank God for Christianity,” Onyinyechi muttered.</div><div dir="ltr"><br />“Yes, thank God,” Mother concurred.</div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-9997174426560254412017-09-29T23:00:00.002-07:002017-09-29T23:02:25.847-07:00Advent of Christianity in ElemeFor all those that love their history, here's a story for you! :<br /><br />&nbsp; One Friday afternoon, Onyinyechi came back from school fuming.<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7SvXipexRg/Wc8xUk6S2PI/AAAAAAAAARw/NvwGGV1--BUER1PDsQASK5YaV0AdG5hqQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252857%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="488" height="197" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7SvXipexRg/Wc8xUk6S2PI/AAAAAAAAARw/NvwGGV1--BUER1PDsQASK5YaV0AdG5hqQCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252857%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />“Mummy good afternoon,” she managed to mumble to her mother in greeting as she furiously banged the front door close.<br />Her mother, startled by the hard bang, looked at her in surprise.<br /><br />“Onyi dear, what happened today?” she asked in concern.<br /><br />Onyinyechi was already heading to her room.<br /><br />“It’s our principal,” she said tightly, “And that his annoying new policy of ‘If you don’t pay your school fees, don’t bother resuming school’ ".<br /><br />“But you have paid your school fees Onyi. Why is it bothering so much?” Mother asked, beckoning her to seat with her on the sofa.<br /><br />Onyinyechi sat down heavily. “It’s not about me Mummy,” she explained, “It’s about the many students affected; more than half of the student population! I don’t know who gave him this new idea. Parents have been calling and begging him to reconsider his decision but he has remained adamant!”<br /><br />“I see your principal is very unyielding and firm,” Mother said thoughtfully.<br /><br />“Exactly!” Onyinyechi wailed, “It’s as if he wants to wage war on the ‘defaulting’ students.”<br /><br />Just then, a thought came to Mother. “You said your principal is from Eleme?”<br /><br />“Yes,” Onyinyechi answered.<br /><br />“That may explain your principal’s unbending character. You see, the people of Eleme were known as strong warriors in those days. In fact, they usually settled their disputes by going to wars.”<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7NB40uaiJA/Wc8xS0gJk0I/AAAAAAAAARY/685NOROgmI8K3ubrvH9ZpO0u8IevkxM1QCLcBGAs/s1600/Shaka_zulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7NB40uaiJA/Wc8xS0gJk0I/AAAAAAAAARY/685NOROgmI8K3ubrvH9ZpO0u8IevkxM1QCLcBGAs/s320/Shaka_zulu.jpg" width="189" /></a><br />Onyinyechi’s mood brightened up a bit. “I’ve heard about the people of Eleme in Rivers State but I don’t know much about them. Do they still go on wars to settle their disputes?”<br /><br />Mother chuckled. “Perhaps not so much anymore with the advent of Christianity in their place."<br /><br />"Eleme is a Local Government Area that is 20km east of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Q2mmGRdyKw/Wc8xR3xe48I/AAAAAAAAARQ/bZKWn9K-aYYqGkKmJal_4Gu1rAbDpAGmwCLcBGAs/s1600/RiversStateMap_0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="401" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Q2mmGRdyKw/Wc8xR3xe48I/AAAAAAAAARQ/bZKWn9K-aYYqGkKmJal_4Gu1rAbDpAGmwCLcBGAs/s320/RiversStateMap_0.gif" width="285" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-aNMJNnCI0/Wc8xSwzM67I/AAAAAAAAARc/a-sLOwXooWIa18-8kz5YYJzGm7y6upEOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Map-of-Nigeria-showing-the-Oil-Producing-States-in-Niger-Delta-Region.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="695" height="278" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j-aNMJNnCI0/Wc8xSwzM67I/AAAAAAAAARc/a-sLOwXooWIa18-8kz5YYJzGm7y6upEOwCLcBGAs/s320/Map-of-Nigeria-showing-the-Oil-Producing-States-in-Niger-Delta-Region.png" width="320" /></a><br />Its headquarters is Ogale. It has ten main towns: Agbonchia, Akpajo, Alesa, Aleto, Alode, Ogale, Ebubu, Ekporo, Eteo and Onne.. Its head is known as Oneh-Eh-Eleme.<br /><br />In the past, Eleme people settled disputes by going to war. There was always the loss of lives and property and yet, there was no guaranty they would win a war. So, they decided to go in search of a supernatural power that would always grant them victory.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9H2f8TJE8A/Wc8xTmnldUI/AAAAAAAAARg/i-UuqQJSy4UW2yzWU84gtsxaFJHbqrcswCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="469" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o9H2f8TJE8A/Wc8xTmnldUI/AAAAAAAAARg/i-UuqQJSy4UW2yzWU84gtsxaFJHbqrcswCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252853%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />The Elemes sent a group of people for this purpose who went to Opobo. There, they met a Christian preacher who preached about power in Jesus’ name.<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kwk2-dqkHRs/Wc8xT4XgdQI/AAAAAAAAARk/21LkQ2C3L84-BJqGzbmL5WMK1tq4a_S4QCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252854%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="219" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kwk2-dqkHRs/Wc8xT4XgdQI/AAAAAAAAARk/21LkQ2C3L84-BJqGzbmL5WMK1tq4a_S4QCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252854%2529.jpg" /></a><br />This name carried power that enabled you to heal the sick, defeat the forces of darkness and even raise the dead to life. The Elemes were interested in this power.<br /><br />“There is an ongoing war in our land,” they told the preacher, “Please give us this power so that this war can end.”<br /><br />“This power can be got from God’s word,” the preacher answered.<br /><br />“Where is this God’s word?” they probed.<br />“In the Bible!” the preacher exclaimed excitedly.<br /><br />He went further to read the Bible to them, prayed with them and even gave them the Bible. They were disappointed; it showed clearly on their facial expressions.<br /><br />The preacher smiled knowingly. “Brethren, this word of God would protect you if only you could have faith in God and obey His instructions here. One of them is that we should not engage in wars because vengeance belongs to Him. Instead, it is commanded that we show love to our enemies and spread this ‘message’ of love.”<br /><br />When it was over, the Elemes returned to their land with the Bible the preacher gave them. They heeded to the preacher’s advice and began to preach the gospel and show love. This led to peace with their neighbours and brought the war to an end. With time, they built a church for their Christian meetings. This growing peace and love brought the people of Opobo and Eleme who were once fighting each other, together. Then, Christian missionaries established schools in Eleme. Today, Eleme has many churches,<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOpN7P1tqrw/Wc8xUFTeHFI/AAAAAAAAARs/MtRVgND8gFI6C3mxABEA51LNlRiF91QxwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252856%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOpN7P1tqrw/Wc8xUFTeHFI/AAAAAAAAARs/MtRVgND8gFI6C3mxABEA51LNlRiF91QxwCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252856%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;schools,<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNqK5bC8R6c/Wc8xSknyRGI/AAAAAAAAARU/6QlSqAIDCLMiImpJKjZQhuB4f3pTdbE_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Education-School.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNqK5bC8R6c/Wc8xSknyRGI/AAAAAAAAARU/6QlSqAIDCLMiImpJKjZQhuB4f3pTdbE_ACLcBGAs/s320/Education-School.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;petroleum refineries,<br />companies and one of the largest sea ports in West Africa located at Onne, one of its famous towns.”<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGen0AC5brk/Wc8xUFf_M4I/AAAAAAAAARo/kn9xh0rZvCMYB93QMAxItGxc4ZOUvkWrgCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252855%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="460" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGen0AC5brk/Wc8xUFf_M4I/AAAAAAAAARo/kn9xh0rZvCMYB93QMAxItGxc4ZOUvkWrgCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252855%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />“Wow, what an interesting story,” Onyinyechi said, now in a better mood, “Maybe our principal needs a preacher that will talk him out of his decision.”<br />Mother chuckled. “Maybe dear. Now go change into your house clothes!”<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-20492045370682627212017-09-29T21:50:00.000-07:002017-09-29T23:02:48.525-07:00Angry River Benue<b><u><br /></u></b><u>&nbsp;</u>&nbsp;Hey story lovers! I decided to write a story about experiencing flood. You know, it's been happening lately and more frequently like Hurricane Harvey/ Flooding in Houston, Texas, America , flooding in Benue State, Nigeria and even in some parts of Rivers State and Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Flooding is terrible because of the losses, trauma and devastation it causes. So I included a few solutions on how to combat it as much as possible. Sometimes however, we can't truly avoid it. What could be the cause? : global warming? Signs of end time? Whatever may be the cause, may we never experience such.<br /><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Angry River Benue</u></b><br /><b><u><br /></u></b>That day,I thought God was angry with us and He was doing what He warned Noah about.<br /><br />&nbsp; It began one morning.Mum and Dad had gone out while my baby brother,Onnah and I were at home.Rain was falling and the sky had turned gray.That shade of gray that caused melatonin to be released and made me sleep.In my dream,I was swimming in a river.Suddenly,I was drowning.I was so overwhelmed with fear that I woke up...but my nightmare had become real.All around me was water;our house was flooded! From our open door,I saw waves of water pouring in but I didn't see...<br /><br />"Onnah!" I screamed."Where was my little brother?" My heart beat rapidly; my adrenaline-filled blood coursing through my veins.I tried looking for him in the waist-deep water but the strong current was pulling my small body into its depth.<br /><br />"Emiene!" ,my mother called out to me.She carried me into her arms.<br /><br />"What about Onnah?" I asked. There was no reply, only her dragged breaths as she waded through the ocean that had intruded our home at Idye.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7lvWEz7YjE/WbjXDou7CSI/AAAAAAAAAQw/yuLtJ8yexs4OVTesCNs3l15nT8ZgqmKfQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="511" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7lvWEz7YjE/WbjXDou7CSI/AAAAAAAAAQw/yuLtJ8yexs4OVTesCNs3l15nT8ZgqmKfQCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252835%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Days later, Mum,Dad and I were in a building filled with many people who had also lost their homes due to the flood.Onnah was not with us.Mum explained that God had taken Onnah to heaven during the flood.I cried.Dad said we were now refugees so the government was taking care of us for now.He told me that this would not happen again.He had written to the government, preventive measures to be taken and even read it out to me:<br /><br />"Create good drainage systems and keep them clean.Dredge river Benue.Create dams,reservoirs,lakes and retention ponds to hold the extra water during flooding.Town planning to ensure waterways are not blocked Planting lots of vegetation to help protect the land from erosion and moving flood water.Decongest flood-prone and low lying areas.Educate the public on the importance of keeping the drainage system clean and teach people how to swim."<br /><br />I nodded but I felt something was missing, so I added:<br /><br />"Tell the government to build an ark."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwBxI0zko4E/Wc8gvwWY2QI/AAAAAAAAARA/yQ_dR7ya6Fg3NUyWkuDUWdcYBBfS9DUYgCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252845%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="498" height="189" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YwBxI0zko4E/Wc8gvwWY2QI/AAAAAAAAARA/yQ_dR7ya6Fg3NUyWkuDUWdcYBBfS9DUYgCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252845%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-17067978593817240142017-08-27T16:12:00.000-07:002017-08-27T16:12:14.587-07:00Do you know the story of the baby giraffe?<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdVuYX4gYtk/WaNQSeTCUlI/AAAAAAAAAQM/QxwV71TZyCAlR0kBp__0Pt6aqZMfNhPqwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252849%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="353" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdVuYX4gYtk/WaNQSeTCUlI/AAAAAAAAAQM/QxwV71TZyCAlR0kBp__0Pt6aqZMfNhPqwCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252849%2529.jpg" width="270" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When a baby giraffe is born, it falls down from its mother's womb, some 8 feet above the ground. Still to weak to move, it's mother KICKS the baby giraffe into the air before it falls to the ground again! As it still lies curled up,trembling and weak, the mother KICKS it again into the air! finally, though still trembling and weak, the baby giraffe is forced to push its limbs for the first time and get up on its feet. Happy to see her baby giraffe finally on its feet, Mother giraffe still yet gives baby giraffe another kick into the air! The giraffe falls again but this time, recovers quickly and gets up. Mother giraffe is happy for she knows baby giraffe has learnt an important lesson:</div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odsX7oUbwrE/WaNQSn65C8I/AAAAAAAAAQU/1kj69r6v_cEC0gOXP8Ec1rWEsm4ejwPEgCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252850%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="470" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odsX7oUbwrE/WaNQSn65C8I/AAAAAAAAAQU/1kj69r6v_cEC0gOXP8Ec1rWEsm4ejwPEgCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252850%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />"Never mind how hard you fall, always remember to pick yourself up and get back on your feet".<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BuTZrzft3E/WaNQSg_YzsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ZfD-pUA0aII9oEkWW4VcM4LH6cvT0SW4gCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252852%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="478" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8BuTZrzft3E/WaNQSg_YzsI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/ZfD-pUA0aII9oEkWW4VcM4LH6cvT0SW4gCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252852%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Mother giraffe does this because she knows lions and tigers love giraffe meat. So unless baby giraffe quickly learns to stand and run with others, it would have no chance of survival.<br /><br />That's the lesson we should learn:"When life gives you kicks several times and you fall or stagger, you must bounce back again!<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aCsK7SRhhM/WaNQREO8qZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/U3DX2uOUDf8f4L_BJYlqSXqehA8lSbs5gCLcBGAs/s1600/EmilysQuotes.Com-failure-loss-gain-learn-change-grow-inspirational-experience-positive-Michael-Barata-500x332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="500" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aCsK7SRhhM/WaNQREO8qZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/U3DX2uOUDf8f4L_BJYlqSXqehA8lSbs5gCLcBGAs/s320/EmilysQuotes.Com-failure-loss-gain-learn-change-grow-inspirational-experience-positive-Michael-Barata-500x332.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;Falling is part of life, stop pitying or condemning yourself. You're a work in progress because God is not finished with you.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4XAEtw9xLA/WaNQTWhNUAI/AAAAAAAAAQY/Aqzhxouh0EEzQO5Ti1y6QIlh4V5wSHNIQCLcBGAs/s1600/richardbranson1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="620" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4XAEtw9xLA/WaNQTWhNUAI/AAAAAAAAAQY/Aqzhxouh0EEzQO5Ti1y6QIlh4V5wSHNIQCLcBGAs/s320/richardbranson1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Yes people may have mocked you like in Micah 7:8-10:"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy:when I fall, I shall rise;when I sit in darkness, &nbsp;the Lord shall be a light to me. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? "<br />Be patient because what God has in store for you is better and greater than you can ever imagine that it would shock those that looked down on you.<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In08YtyeeK4/WaNQRGnPfqI/AAAAAAAAAQE/2a2gTUFwko0ZLNapUcrxB6nlihLyaTeQwCLcBGAs/s1600/EmilysQuotes.Com-Paulo-Coelho-dream-fear-failure-reason-impossible-500x333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-In08YtyeeK4/WaNQRGnPfqI/AAAAAAAAAQE/2a2gTUFwko0ZLNapUcrxB6nlihLyaTeQwCLcBGAs/s320/EmilysQuotes.Com-Paulo-Coelho-dream-fear-failure-reason-impossible-500x333.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />And of course, never forget Proverbs 24:16: "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again".<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6d83UO55-T0/WaNQQw-4sSI/AAAAAAAAAQA/44mFK1rIH0Q5ne7xTbHt6R4RNWxAAaJ_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Perseverance-is-failing-19-times-and-succeeding-the-20th.-Julie-Andrews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="620" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6d83UO55-T0/WaNQQw-4sSI/AAAAAAAAAQA/44mFK1rIH0Q5ne7xTbHt6R4RNWxAAaJ_wCLcBGAs/s320/Perseverance-is-failing-19-times-and-succeeding-the-20th.-Julie-Andrews.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-70367606453495837252017-08-27T15:17:00.000-07:002017-08-27T15:52:28.091-07:00Creativity <br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Ep97reG-I/WaNCJfompTI/AAAAAAAAAPs/SJMxgk6qRp0pD9kqXrRJMsGAb6w3235JACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252847%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="463" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_Ep97reG-I/WaNCJfompTI/AAAAAAAAAPs/SJMxgk6qRp0pD9kqXrRJMsGAb6w3235JACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252847%2529.jpg" /></a><br />Creativity is the quality or ability to create or invent something. It is the capacity to think independently or be inventive. It is the quality of being original, novel or pioneering.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0fKBOpLbY/WaNCY4Y7kGI/AAAAAAAAAPw/xD4b9ebaR6cD6xffJkfsJ9fBaEGIytO0wCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252848%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="585" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HT0fKBOpLbY/WaNCY4Y7kGI/AAAAAAAAAPw/xD4b9ebaR6cD6xffJkfsJ9fBaEGIytO0wCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252848%2529.jpg" /></a>&nbsp; Every human is born creative but sadly, not everyone uses his/her creativity. As children, our minds were not limited. We may have imagined that we could fly in the air and even reach up to heaven and see how God looks like. We may have wanted to be super heroes, save the world or be president.<br /><br />&nbsp;But as we grew, we learnt that most of our aspirations and imaginations could not happen in the real world. We were dictated by society what was expected of us. We went to school and learnt oxygen is a component of air and had to accept it as that even if we could not see it. ‘Keep your opinions to yourself, please!’ We were told that we should go to school and become a doctor/lawyer/engineer, get a job and have money. Gradually, our thinking became patterned to a particular way.<br /><br />We began to think that those who did well in school were smart and those who didn’t were dumb. We think that fortune had smiled on those who held white-collar jobs while misfortune had befallen those who had blue-collar jobs instead. We think that those aspiring to be artistes/artists/actors/models…were not serious about life. We think that politics or corruption is the only way to be truly wealthy. We look at our gifts – perhaps we write nice poems or make nice drawings – and we think, “Can this thing even fetch me some money?” If we think ‘no’, we discard it. Because we can’t sing, dance, play an instrument, fix a car or create an app like some of our mates, we may feel that we are not creative; we end up thinking less of ourselves.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; But you see, everyone was born for a purpose and because of that purpose, God has endowed us with different gifts. Our purpose is to solve a problem somewhere but the way that problem is going to be solved will be differently handled by different individuals. Now, this is where creativity comes in. Take for instance, the issue of reconnecting with long lost contacts, friends and families. Mark Zuckerberg, while still a student in the university, created Facebook. Another instance was the problem of communicating across long distances and different locations which was solved by Alexander Graham Bell who devised the first telephone. Who ever thought that a machine would fly on air and even carry people in it? The Wright brothers thought so and created the aeroplane. I could go on and on…Thomas Edison and the light bulb, Larry Page and Google, Bill Gates and Microsoft, Henry Ford and Ford Motors, Mike Adenugua and Glo.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G81DlMjHb1c/WaNAzmdXNEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/zv4ZNFcsDMk4IJOZbysoMday360teNfdACLcBGAs/s1600/talmapna3bi8-494b03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="590" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G81DlMjHb1c/WaNAzmdXNEI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/zv4ZNFcsDMk4IJOZbysoMday360teNfdACLcBGAs/s1600/talmapna3bi8-494b03.jpg" /></a><br />They all found a problem and used innovative ideas to fix it.<br />You don’t need to do what others do. If you’re good in planning and organising things, you could consider being an event planner. If you’re good at listening and offering sound advice, you could make a good counsellor or psychologist. Perhaps you like details and going into the bottom of a matter, that’s what detectives do. You love planting and pruning flowers as an art? Why not be a horticulturist?<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVDmJ5GI8ME/WaNB6QuHe0I/AAAAAAAAAPo/x3YvqYXWcnsFmJ6XbutVaWPMS1OlgHk4wCLcBGAs/s1600/1e6a3dae11d18fcf4c0c9bc0a7be08e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVDmJ5GI8ME/WaNB6QuHe0I/AAAAAAAAAPo/x3YvqYXWcnsFmJ6XbutVaWPMS1OlgHk4wCLcBGAs/s1600/1e6a3dae11d18fcf4c0c9bc0a7be08e3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp;You know what your strengths/talents/gifts are, work on them and add your unique blend to them. If it is designing homes, design homes so well and uniquely that people would come looking for you. You know that problem everybody is complaining about, then find a way to solve it. Most billionaires today solved problems. You have that burning desire to do or be something, then start now towards it.<br /><br />Maybe you are yet to discover what you are good at. Ask yourself: “What do I enjoy doing?”, “What would I talk about all day long if I had all the time?”, “What do I do so easily, yet others struggle to do it?”, “What have people always complimented me for?”, “What problem do I always think of solving?”.<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkPERBOaHho/WaNA_-aZXcI/AAAAAAAAAPY/pyEoWkUiBbkr9sxxqkz4k9mYx4EkmfMFgCLcBGAs/s1600/unnamed%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gkPERBOaHho/WaNA_-aZXcI/AAAAAAAAAPY/pyEoWkUiBbkr9sxxqkz4k9mYx4EkmfMFgCLcBGAs/s1600/unnamed%2B%25285%2529.jpg" /></a><br />You would need to take out time to answer these questions and do more reflection and soul-searching to really discover your hidden gifts. In the end, you would find out that you have one or more gifts. You may need more guidance; ask the Holy Spirit or a someone that knows you well for help. When you’ve discovered your gift, try to take part in activities that would not only grow that gift but will also get people to know about your gift. You never know, one day someone may hear about your gift and call you to embark on something big that could transform your life for the better! This advice is to all Nigerian youths out there – whether you hawk, you're into trading or business, you're in school or you’re at home idle. Know your talents/gifts, work on them and get creative.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp;Free your mind of limitations! Dream big, hope for the best, have faith, keep on trying and persevering.<br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4juHIUWkHJY/WaNByzdvJDI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XZKpxdIgb2gleaFRuK_9rtfWEM0fGzQDwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252846%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4juHIUWkHJY/WaNByzdvJDI/AAAAAAAAAPk/XZKpxdIgb2gleaFRuK_9rtfWEM0fGzQDwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252846%2529.jpg" /></a><br />Honestly, it’s not going to be easy to do something that nobody has done before or to pioneer things in your own unique way, but it is possible. Never anyone to make you feel inferior just because you are not good in what they do; you are good in what you do. Truth is, if God gave you all the talents in the world, many would go to waste because they won’t be used in achieving the purpose God sent you to earth for. Never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking of it. Anytime you want to quit, think of all the people watching to see you fail… and think of the people who wants to see you succeed. Never live a life you would end up wondering, “What if I had tried?”<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2i4q7S8Do4s/WaNBUPdaOpI/AAAAAAAAAPc/qXIHkfRiWkEDI2ZlKvRqUIsgRTzHFmuNACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252845%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2i4q7S8Do4s/WaNBUPdaOpI/AAAAAAAAAPc/qXIHkfRiWkEDI2ZlKvRqUIsgRTzHFmuNACLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252845%2529.jpg" /></a><br />When you feel like giving up on your dream, think on why you started in the first place and why you kept hanging on. Look at how far you have gone; you may not be where you want to be, but you’re better than you were yesterday. Remember that your gift/creativity is only unique to you and it’s for a purpose.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;So, be creative, be original, be you…</div><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys_2ZXl09ZA/WaNA6jSqmHI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Dl8bX0DllnkKcFJhm5xTjgT6-oPIS-aZACLcBGAs/s1600/unnamed%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="469" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ys_2ZXl09ZA/WaNA6jSqmHI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Dl8bX0DllnkKcFJhm5xTjgT6-oPIS-aZACLcBGAs/s1600/unnamed%2B%25284%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-37913104734024518252017-08-11T00:54:00.001-07:002017-08-11T00:55:06.989-07:00I have a dream&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;August 28,1963, American Civil Rights Activist, &nbsp;Martin Luther King, delivered a public speech that would forever change American history. This speech is titled "I have a dream".<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ6mVRc_UoY/WY1h7m58U9I/AAAAAAAAAO8/2Mbe4LY-jTwojpLqN537lq-E0qXSMPbSQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252842%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="471" height="211" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ6mVRc_UoY/WY1h7m58U9I/AAAAAAAAAO8/2Mbe4LY-jTwojpLqN537lq-E0qXSMPbSQCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252842%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />In that speech, Martin Luther King expressed his dream that one day, America would be free of slavery and racism.<br /><br />"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DusfaXNP80k/WY1h8kMxW8I/AAAAAAAAAPA/AD16h8Ns4WUC5GnqpdwEH5JZGcj6QiipQCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252844%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="449" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DusfaXNP80k/WY1h8kMxW8I/AAAAAAAAAPA/AD16h8Ns4WUC5GnqpdwEH5JZGcj6QiipQCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252844%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />&nbsp;I have a dream, &nbsp;one day, &nbsp;right here in Alabama, &nbsp;little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HKuXFb8w9M/WY1h7sA_VtI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Rff6MbOw3Qkofe9Xoj9Hcjnieh2eFldvwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252843%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3HKuXFb8w9M/WY1h7sA_VtI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Rff6MbOw3Qkofe9Xoj9Hcjnieh2eFldvwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252843%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><br />&nbsp;I have a dream, &nbsp;one day this nation will rise up and live up to its creed, &nbsp;'We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal. I have a dream...."<br /><br />At that time, &nbsp;such a dream seemed so impossible in the midst of racism, boycotting, arrests, segregation and discriminating laws. Today, that dream is fulfilled or at least, &nbsp;almost fulfilled.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp;What is your dream? Is it to be doctor or an artiste one day? Is it transforming your society to a better place? Is it learning a new skill or an opportunity to display your God-given gift or talent? &nbsp;Well, I have news for you: yes, it is possible!<br /><br />&nbsp; It may seem impossible now, but never you give up on it. Life does not become a regret when we fail at something but when we never tried doing what we deeply desired. You know what you want deep down? Then don't give up! Keep on believing, working hard towards it, hoping, being positive and declaring what you want. You may not be where you want to be after so many failed attempts but if you do these, you will surely get there or at least, close to that place some day. A saying goes thus: "Reach for the stars and if you don't get there, &nbsp;you will land on the moon. "<br />Remember: "The future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams. " Let your motto be, "I won't give up, because ...I have a dream. "<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mLmABu7jJg/WY1h7pUrRMI/AAAAAAAAAO4/fF4IcIduRhAuvVW0HeBFcl1RV-EkFv9iwCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%252835%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="455" height="227" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1mLmABu7jJg/WY1h7pUrRMI/AAAAAAAAAO4/fF4IcIduRhAuvVW0HeBFcl1RV-EkFv9iwCLcBGAs/s320/images%2B%252835%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-38882060079710662382017-06-11T22:01:00.000-07:002017-06-14T21:55:37.441-07:00Getting a scholarship <br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; One of our dreams as students is to get a scholarship but after trying so many times, we're it as a mere dream. &nbsp;Truth is that dream can become real. &nbsp;Yes, &nbsp;getting a scholarship is possible though not as easy. &nbsp;Students like you have got these scholarships, you can too!<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie0iCIEZhdA/WUIR1jcQc6I/AAAAAAAAANc/mwByOwwKz6wVGBU7gbdkon1IKdiH0FN-QCLcBGAs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie0iCIEZhdA/WUIR1jcQc6I/AAAAAAAAANc/mwByOwwKz6wVGBU7gbdkon1IKdiH0FN-QCLcBGAs/s1600/6.jpg" /></a><br />So, &nbsp;I am going to share with you helpful tips that would increase your chances of winning a scholarship :<br /><br />1. Be up-to-date: Many have missed scholarship opportunities simply due to ignorance. &nbsp;It is therefore important that you are always informed about ongoing or expected scholarships. Subscribe to websites that deal on scholarships, register with that Cyber-café in school that is into scholarships, regularly surf the net, &nbsp;join What's App groups that share scholarship updates and of course, ask people around about any ongoing scholarship.<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNnMmxfIgEc/WUIR1WnW2dI/AAAAAAAAANY/Y_Qx-4OIvBIAkzpQZCxIYDCe1Hu9WY8KQCLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zNnMmxfIgEc/WUIR1WnW2dI/AAAAAAAAANY/Y_Qx-4OIvBIAkzpQZCxIYDCe1Hu9WY8KQCLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" /></a><br /><br />2. Always have the necessary documents: To be forewarned is to be forearmed . There are some documents that are always almost required for scholarship applications like JAMB admission letter, &nbsp;JAMB original result, &nbsp;birth certificate, O' Level result, &nbsp;school ID card, &nbsp;etc. Do not wait till you are applying for a scholarship before you start running around to get them. &nbsp;If a document is required for one scholarship, chances are that it would be required in another. Get all your documents stored in soft copy in your phone, &nbsp;flash drive, &nbsp;computer or in whatever form you can easily retrieve it for future use.<br /><br />3. Apply early: "The early bird catches the worm", the saying goes. Being among the first applicants would also put you among the first for consideration. So apply early and boost your chances of getting selected.<br /><br />4. Follow instructions: When applying for some scholarships, &nbsp;it is required that the document be in a particular format like JPEG, PDF, WORD or some other format. They may require a particular document stamped and endorsed by your HOD. &nbsp;They may want you to arrange the documents in a particular order. &nbsp;Do not assume that they would overlook your not adhering to instructions. Sometimes what can distinguish one student from others is simply adhering to instructions and please, &nbsp;be honest with the information you give.<br /><br />5. Try out past questions: Some scholarship exams repeat the questions they have given over the years, &nbsp;others do not. &nbsp;<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xc-j9mCKNhY/WUIR18VDwfI/AAAAAAAAANg/H4KL1raLyuYH339DqXkZ9wFbPc3fTU_CQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xc-j9mCKNhY/WUIR18VDwfI/AAAAAAAAANg/H4KL1raLyuYH339DqXkZ9wFbPc3fTU_CQCLcBGAs/s320/5.jpg" width="216" /></a>Either&nbsp;ways, &nbsp;it is important to practice past questions. Not only would they teach you on the best ways to answer, &nbsp;they would offer helpful insights on what you should expect.<br /><br />6. Being selected: Never assume that because they have called you to take the exam, &nbsp;it is as good as winning the scholarship. Follow instructions till the end. &nbsp;Go early, &nbsp;dress well and bring the required documents.<br /><br />7. Taking the exam: Of course, you would not know all the answers to the different questions. Read the instructions carefully. Answer the questions you know as quickly and as carefully as you can first. For the ones you do not know, &nbsp;look for the options that appear similar and the one that stands out different. Look out for any particular sequence in the options. Use common sense, obviously. Worst case scenario, answer all unknown questions using a particular options like option A/B /C / D through out. &nbsp;Seems like gambling but chances are some will be correct.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--812X5cZmSU/WUISzUoZYPI/AAAAAAAAANk/DkMAxnmPnWMW3-g_5CzdewU7cHcCvvqNQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="550" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--812X5cZmSU/WUISzUoZYPI/AAAAAAAAANk/DkMAxnmPnWMW3-g_5CzdewU7cHcCvvqNQCLcBGAs/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />8. After everything: If you eventually get the scholarship, Good for you! &nbsp;If you do not, &nbsp;it is not the end. &nbsp;Find out where you went wrong and learn from it. &nbsp;Keep on applying for scholarships; do not give up! Do not look down on a scholarship or feel you are not qualified enough or feel that the requirements are too much. &nbsp;If getting a scholarship is your dream, &nbsp;then keep pushing till the door opens. &nbsp;Even if you still do not get, &nbsp;do not beat yourself. &nbsp;Try other rewarding opportunities like writing competitions, quizzes, &nbsp;debates, &nbsp;being the best in your department, talent competition, leadership or even beauty pageants. You never know where your breakthrough would come from!<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; Remember, &nbsp;the future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-86268191252721119072017-06-11T21:55:00.000-07:002017-06-14T22:08:04.572-07:00Tips on how to do great in a course <br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;An adage goes: "<i>He that fails to plan has planned to fail</i>." If you intend on doing well in a course, &nbsp;you should have strategies on how to tackle it.<br />Outlined below are helpful tips on how you can go about this:<br /><br />1. Start early: <br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj65B0qOa1o/WUIVNSdcADI/AAAAAAAAAOE/uBUefePHZEQzQ7GDZknMF4OTl8YdLlLNgCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="852" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj65B0qOa1o/WUIVNSdcADI/AAAAAAAAAOE/uBUefePHZEQzQ7GDZknMF4OTl8YdLlLNgCLcBGAs/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a>&nbsp;Before&nbsp;the beginning of the semester, you should know the courses you will offer, &nbsp;the recommended textbooks and past questions. While others are still returning and recovering from the holidays, you should have started going through your books. &nbsp;This does not necessarily mean that you should get all that textbook into your head but going through it would give you an idea on what you are most likely going to face.<br /><br /><br />2. Attend lectures:<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVtWrQXWsnw/WUIVNbGflII/AAAAAAAAAOA/9OCzV1RqmLYW6drlaYsbuo99xGfmfc0SgCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BVtWrQXWsnw/WUIVNbGflII/AAAAAAAAAOA/9OCzV1RqmLYW6drlaYsbuo99xGfmfc0SgCLcBGAs/s1600/images%2B%25283%2529.jpg" /></a>&nbsp;Although people have different ways of learning, it is nevertheless advisable to attend lectures as much as possible. Lectures can make a course easier to understand than mere reading it in a textbook. They give you an idea on what the lecturer expects from you in exam, &nbsp;you will be able to ask the lecturer questions and sometimes, all that you need to pass an exam is to write what the lecturer gave in class. &nbsp;If you cannot attend lectures, &nbsp;at least get the notes from those that went for the lecture.<br /><br />3. Get help! : &nbsp;If you find a course difficult, &nbsp;do not be ashamed or afraid to meet your course mates, &nbsp;lecturer or any other person that has better understanding of it. &nbsp;If the person you meet does not know or refuses to help, &nbsp;meet another person. &nbsp;One tough &nbsp;topic you have been seating on for hours can be made easier within minutes &nbsp;by just an explanation.<br /><br />4. Develop passion: Have you noticed that you hardly hesitate to learn new things concerning the things &nbsp;you are passionate about? So it is with courses! You tend to do better in courses you are passionate about. You want to do well in that painfully boring difficult course? Then be passionate or make yourself passionate about it, &nbsp;at least till you are done with the course. They say, "Fake it till you make it ". Convince yourself by saying things like: "I love this course! ", "This is great course even if I don't see it as such now.", "This course would help me in future one day" . Then put in your best like your whole life depends on it. &nbsp;You will be surprised on how much better you will eventually do in that course.<br /><br />5. Discuss:<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkCz43C1Mhc/WUIVNcgRg8I/AAAAAAAAAN8/WNRoM-RF4igu7cE1W-lOez069WLCTin3wCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="317" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkCz43C1Mhc/WUIVNcgRg8I/AAAAAAAAAN8/WNRoM-RF4igu7cE1W-lOez069WLCTin3wCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" /></a>&nbsp;Edgar Dale said "We retain 10% of what we read, 70% of what we discuss with others and 95% of what we teach others." By discussing what you have learnt with your course mates, it would not only stick better &nbsp;but it would alert you to your mistakes. Sometimes it was those group discussion prior to exam that made you realise what you missed in your personal reading. Even explaining a difficult topic to your course mate can make you understand the course more.<br /><br />6. Read to know and not just to pass: As much as possible, read your course to really understand it. &nbsp;This can be painstakingly slow and mentally demanding, so it is best to do this before or early in the semester. Do researches and read widely especially books related to the course. &nbsp;Not only would you gain more information that would help in presenting a better work in assignments or exams, &nbsp;you will not easily forget what you have an in-depth understanding of compared to what you cram.<br /><br />7. Be informed: No man is an island. Stay abreast of what is happening in class so as to know any information &nbsp;concerning assignments to be submitted, expected tests, &nbsp;scheduled practicals or classes and exam venues. &nbsp;One vital piece of information can save someone from missing an exam.<br /><br />8. Think positively: "Reach for the stars and if you don't get them, &nbsp;you will land on the moon" . Believe you will pass and discard every thought of failure. People have successfully passed this course, &nbsp;so why can't you? Aim for the highest possible grade, &nbsp;impossible as it may seem. &nbsp;You will see that even if you do not get that grade, &nbsp;you will get close to it. &nbsp;Believe you will pass it this time even if you did not pass it before. Have faith in yourself, in God and think big!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-10808472223559177752017-06-09T07:36:00.000-07:002017-06-09T07:59:28.899-07:00Destiny <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pL_REBaAeTM/WTqxN_u_nHI/AAAAAAAAAM0/pCF13igCcxogiKMFDVSgqf16i7E8AJlrACLcB/s1600/images%2B%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="485" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pL_REBaAeTM/WTqxN_u_nHI/AAAAAAAAAM0/pCF13igCcxogiKMFDVSgqf16i7E8AJlrACLcB/s320/images%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />We were born,<br />Despite the difficulties and pains of labour, we came into the world.<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />As children,.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffNb0alxC6s/WTqxNOqfX-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/lw9DXR7K8ZUfJPQGZyQuhEw7fJ9XXZ_PACLcB/s1600/15031922294_2052a5413e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1024" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffNb0alxC6s/WTqxNOqfX-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/lw9DXR7K8ZUfJPQGZyQuhEw7fJ9XXZ_PACLcB/s320/15031922294_2052a5413e_b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />&nbsp;it was our dream, to be that "hero" someday<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />We were growing,<br />Our friends struggled to do it but we could easily do it...s<span style="text-align: center;">o naturally.&nbsp;</span><br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />We went to school,<br />For our parents felt they knew best, yet that childhood dream remained.<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />We got older,<br />Got a job, got married, got everything, yet something was missing.<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />We began to search ourselves,<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlmkK7WdHAg/WTqxM5Z1eNI/AAAAAAAAAMo/fcq2q_4NaUAyNN_SAxukTflMz3mGjwligCLcB/s1600/ce653c94bcf1426688f674a486aec880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1000" height="165" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlmkK7WdHAg/WTqxM5Z1eNI/AAAAAAAAAMo/fcq2q_4NaUAyNN_SAxukTflMz3mGjwligCLcB/s320/ce653c94bcf1426688f674a486aec880.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />We searched our souls, we searched our hearts, we searched for<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />Some stop,<br />For they decide the journey to self is difficult but we will not till we reach<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />We saw it,<br />In different opportunities. We felt its tug pulling us to what we were called to be; pulling us to<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><br />For those that get it,<br />They feel fulfilled. For others that do not, they feel incomplete for it is a life without<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs4ummdg2Jw/WTqxN1dG1VI/AAAAAAAAAMw/GAiSXnOzT1w99JlwuZyl4-oLkMSJCaPlgCLcB/s1600/images%2B%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="470" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs4ummdg2Jw/WTqxN1dG1VI/AAAAAAAAAMw/GAiSXnOzT1w99JlwuZyl4-oLkMSJCaPlgCLcB/s320/images%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br />Even as our hearts beat weakly,<br />As our eyes closed to a forever sleep and our souls slipped to a world beyond,<br />We realise that was why we were here in the first place. We were born for it; it was our<br /><i>Destiny</i>.<br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yTJ41QMGqQ/WTqxMpWC1RI/AAAAAAAAAMk/vIrAMMl4BQs4z1d8OhC9KKI4k4CEd6_VACLcB/s1600/images%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="509" height="181" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yTJ41QMGqQ/WTqxMpWC1RI/AAAAAAAAAMk/vIrAMMl4BQs4z1d8OhC9KKI4k4CEd6_VACLcB/s320/images%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Dear reader, &nbsp;don't give up on your dream for "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." If you can dream it, &nbsp;you can do it! &nbsp;So long as God laid that vision in your heart, He knows you can do it. Just keep on trusting Him, &nbsp;believe in yourself, keep dreaming, keep pushing, keep declaring positive things. Remember "Aim for the 🌟 stars, if you don't reach it, &nbsp;you will land on the 🌙 moon. "<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MsOGgh6wiw/WTq3qVkzBMI/AAAAAAAAANE/8x_8ZS0L6eIAlXvnckDkCb5_0VQb7QqSgCLcB/s1600/images%2B%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="485" height="199" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8MsOGgh6wiw/WTq3qVkzBMI/AAAAAAAAANE/8x_8ZS0L6eIAlXvnckDkCb5_0VQb7QqSgCLcB/s320/images%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-48718774593627095462017-04-21T12:38:00.000-07:002017-06-11T22:02:50.010-07:00Medical School?- WARNING : DANGER TO YOUR FAITH!!&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Before we entered medical school, we may have been staunch Christians, perhaps vowed to God that if He gives us admission, we will serve Him like never before. Then we got admission, Yay!!! But we find out we become less strong in our faith. We do not serve as before( vow broken). Going to church is now time-consuming. Worse, some of us lose our faith entirely.Why does this often happen in medical school?<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esdEExUrAQA/WPnMR3lfTWI/AAAAAAAAAMA/8sDqhIlqWOwqw2FCa1ihtFVPX_0ogPGpQCEw/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-esdEExUrAQA/WPnMR3lfTWI/AAAAAAAAAMA/8sDqhIlqWOwqw2FCa1ihtFVPX_0ogPGpQCEw/s1600/images-3.jpg" /></a>1. <u>Stress</u>: Let's face it, medical school is not easy. We have to cram much within a short time. We have to make good grades to pass MB. For those who have to resit, the course becomes a 'god' that they always think of. Worse still, is the psychological trauma a medic has to face if he/she repeats. We feel so stressed out, we wonder if God is really with us. We may feel like giving up - perhaps in medical school, in God or both.<br /><br />2. <u>Life crisis</u>: Unfortunately during medical school, we may experience devastating crises that makes us feel abandoned by our friends and God. I heard about a guy who had to repeat, lost his home to fire and then his mother and felt abandoned by his course mates. (What advice can you give to such a person? You can drop your suggestions in the comment box below).<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcE9CumGCX8/WPnMcPLcPLI/AAAAAAAAALw/qPhZatcLYT4vJcc61rCG5HX6GI-u5wpjwCLcB/s1600/download-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcE9CumGCX8/WPnMcPLcPLI/AAAAAAAAALw/qPhZatcLYT4vJcc61rCG5HX6GI-u5wpjwCLcB/s1600/download-5.jpg" /></a>3. <u>Peer pressure</u>: In the university there are many negative influences - bad friends, alcohol, cultism, pornography, drugs. If a medic happens to get involved with such, he/she may condemn him/her self as unforgivable by God and decide to remain there. Yet, no matter our sins,God is always ready to forgive us.<br /><br />4. <u>Idolatry</u>: From missing fellowships, to missing church, to missing even our personal time with God, medicine then ranks first in our priorities. Gradually, medicine becomes an 'idol'.<br /><br />So how can we avoid being derailed?<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePVKy6FRztQ/WPnMXgf321I/AAAAAAAAALs/iZ0TU9ngsxEuKMkuQXLySADB-SbmHulZACLcB/s1600/images-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ePVKy6FRztQ/WPnMXgf321I/AAAAAAAAALs/iZ0TU9ngsxEuKMkuQXLySADB-SbmHulZACLcB/s1600/images-4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARMO0HQXbDY/WPnMiXBofbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rcmXV9RlPhMandRqbVPKjHDCsvH_2I6xgCLcB/s1600/images-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ARMO0HQXbDY/WPnMiXBofbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rcmXV9RlPhMandRqbVPKjHDCsvH_2I6xgCLcB/s1600/images-5.jpg" /></a>&nbsp;1. <u>The PPPs</u>: Prayer, personal bible study, people of God( which means joining Christian fellowships or a church). &nbsp;Medical school may make you feel like you can never have time but when you are determined to make out time for these 3 Ps,you will find the time and will still pass your exams if you read. It could range from few minutes to hours depending on your schedule. Besides, medical school has a funny way of letting you feel you haven't covered enough even when you use all the 24 hours in a day.<br /><br />2. <u>Be yourself</u>: No matter how our peers may want to cajole us into doing the wrong things we should always take our stand on what we know is right just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Eventually such people would let us be even if they may criticise us.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ2R068HOw/WPnL6YRc3KI/AAAAAAAAALc/ib49ubQNurQ5q8iHrP3zn9rOKYZbqXD5gCLcB/s1600/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ2R068HOw/WPnL6YRc3KI/AAAAAAAAALc/ib49ubQNurQ5q8iHrP3zn9rOKYZbqXD5gCLcB/s1600/download-1.jpg" /></a></div>3.<u> Ask for help!</u> : If you are feeling depressed, losing your faith or in need of help, please meet someone you can rely on( friend, family, church/fellowship member, CMDA). Don't feel like a failure or ashamed to ask for help.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJVv7Xwn10c/WPnMKby-rUI/AAAAAAAAALg/UH3CI_hIC-Yw_M-wukL2YvsxDprFrFn2ACLcB/s1600/download-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJVv7Xwn10c/WPnMKby-rUI/AAAAAAAAALg/UH3CI_hIC-Yw_M-wukL2YvsxDprFrFn2ACLcB/s200/download-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />4. <u>Have fun!</u>: Smile, laugh, play - just give yourself a break before you break down. &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Above all, we are God's children. Medicine will end one day but God and His word will always remain. So let's care for our souls and faith as we would care for our patients one day. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LIFBtsCnYs/WPnMs7lztpI/AAAAAAAAAL8/XeBpV2_dCM4T4H7pQPvNEVjQOPdHxZVSACLcB/s1600/download-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LIFBtsCnYs/WPnMs7lztpI/AAAAAAAAAL8/XeBpV2_dCM4T4H7pQPvNEVjQOPdHxZVSACLcB/s1600/download-7.jpg" /></a></div><u>3 John 1:2</u>: "<i>Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."</i>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-78022642403241215622017-04-21T01:04:00.000-07:002017-04-21T01:06:02.334-07:00Moneyria<u>Definition</u>: &nbsp;Moneyria is a financial disease whereby one lives in discomfort due to money deficiency.<br /><br /><u>Symptoms</u>: Suffering, begging, inability to help others or oneself, a generally hard life. In severe cases, stealing, prostitution, kidnapping, among other related crimes.<br /><br /><u>Aetiology</u>: Stinginess.<br /><br /><u>Prevention and Treatment</u>: Giving<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; For some of us, giving is one area that we are yet to understand, much less do. When we hear "sow", "tithe", "give an offering", we probably think: "I've not even solved my problems!", "Why should I give my hard-earned money to Pastor?"<br />Yet, the Kingdom is the most fertile ground we can sow into! Permit me to refer to it as the most reliable "Ponzi scheme".<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjGb-JCcztI/WPm7EY159gI/AAAAAAAAAKs/j8N0IfKvkZ0VqdhsG1YKFp6OgaeXXlVJwCLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cjGb-JCcztI/WPm7EY159gI/AAAAAAAAAKs/j8N0IfKvkZ0VqdhsG1YKFp6OgaeXXlVJwCLcB/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Your giving is the "Provide Help (PH)". Your "Get help (GH)" is praying to God for financial help. Your "Merger" is God who will "merge" anyone to "pay" you (favour). Of course,the bigger the "PH" ,the bigger the "profit" (blessings).<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; I know of a boy who won a scholarship of N100,000. Though he was struggling financially, he was led to sow it all into his church. He obeyed. Later on, he won more than three scholarships!<br /><br />I also know of a girl who won a scholarship that delayed in paying her. Sometime later, she was led to sow into her Church Crusade. She obeyed and sowed with only N5,000. That same day,the scholarship board credited her account with N400,000!<br /><br />Another girl was led to sow the whole money in her bank account into the church. This girl fended for her school fees and feeding by herself. She obeyed nevertheless but since that day till date,she has never been broke nor lacked school fees.<br /><br />The above stories are real about students like us who were bold enough"to take the risk" in faith. We may not be able to give much but we can start with the little we have. After all, Jesus appreciated the poor widow who gave just 2 coins.<br /><br />(<u>Mark 12:42</u>: <i>And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.[12:43] And He called unto him His disciples, and saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury.[12:44] For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."</i>).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_k4s1rbDY/WPm8Ek4A6kI/AAAAAAAAALA/volq0_aIhKs-nG8wl5LWYPkqh52MeDgcgCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv_k4s1rbDY/WPm8Ek4A6kI/AAAAAAAAALA/volq0_aIhKs-nG8wl5LWYPkqh52MeDgcgCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;Just start with the little you have. Give to your church, to the poor,to those around you in need, to orphanages, to your fellowship or wherever but just Give!<br /><br />(<u>Proverbs 11:24</u>: <i>"</i>&nbsp;<i>There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty"</i>). Remeber, giving always comes back to you.<br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSE75z1z5f4/WPm7tHktRmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/FzBgq2rTUbM5kDRjbMBEjBBSShOGIqM8QCLcB/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VSE75z1z5f4/WPm7tHktRmI/AAAAAAAAAK0/FzBgq2rTUbM5kDRjbMBEjBBSShOGIqM8QCLcB/s320/images-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>&nbsp; Then gradually,you will see your finances grow and your blessings come like the rain.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9agPQ5GdNGM/WPm77rhzPiI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mLzInzv8OQc3MPn3kUn5S7KYpiWBVBShQCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9agPQ5GdNGM/WPm77rhzPiI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mLzInzv8OQc3MPn3kUn5S7KYpiWBVBShQCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_iAMAVrBcU/WPm7081ND2I/AAAAAAAAAK4/D6HW4m7qnzQhqx6SMYYIt_Fkz9NWkyt_gCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><u>Malachi 3:10</u>: "<i>Bring ye all the tithes unto the store house, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts,if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing,that there shall not be enough room to receive it."</i>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-79181136904486859382017-03-04T08:47:00.000-08:002017-03-04T08:51:44.878-08:00The Christian Doctor<u>THE CHRISTIAN DOCTOR</u><br /><i><br /></i><i>"Are we doctors who happen to be Christians or are we Christians whom God has called to be doctors?"</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_nyj1RGUYo/WLrq__no_bI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/gnaViM8Ea_YwEzgyCppPFSi1pwjxFW68gCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_nyj1RGUYo/WLrq__no_bI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/gnaViM8Ea_YwEzgyCppPFSi1pwjxFW68gCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div><i><br /></i>That was the very question I came across while reading the book, 'PRACTICE BY THE BOOK' by Gene Rudd, M.D and All Weir, M.D.<br /><br />Because we are in a world where values like gay/lesbianism, abortion, transgender are legalised, it can be easy to succumb to it. Even when we claim to be core Christians, our busy schedules as doctors/medical students( medics), give us little or no time to go about the work God has called us to do - sharing the Gospel.<br /><br />Nonetheless, as the book added, "<i>It is not what we do that determines who we are but rather it is who we are that determines what we do."</i> What are we? We are Christian medics.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; Yes, medicine is a calling to serve and heal but there is a Higher calling to bring Christ(light, hope) to a hurting world. This calling not only brings physical healing but also spiritual and emotional healing.<br />So how do we go about this? I would suggest the MMMMs:<br /><br />1. <u>Ministry(Matthew 9:35)</u>: Jesus -the Great Physician- preached the Good News and healed. We, as followers, are to emulate. The deepest need of patients is to receive Jesus that cures the disease of sin and guarantees eternal life. So while we are in conversation/examination with patients/others who do not know Christ, we should not hesitate to share the Gospel.<br /><br />2. <u>Mission(Matthew 28:19-20)</u>: Healthcare is an opportunity to serve people while simultaneously expanding the Church. We can go on missions and outreaches. While attending to a community/ village inhabitant, we could talk to them about Christ.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX0fsr0_KWk/WLrudGPnxuI/AAAAAAAAAKM/qqrKYY4ZcnsZxHxbw1vM5ME0up4HINGRgCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX0fsr0_KWk/WLrudGPnxuI/AAAAAAAAAKM/qqrKYY4ZcnsZxHxbw1vM5ME0up4HINGRgCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />3. <u>Mentoring(2 Timothy 2:1-2)</u>: Mentoring does not just refers to teaching academic/clinical skills. It also refers to guiding and leading by example. Many medics have academic mentors but it is equally important to teach our younger colleagues things like: how to balance school alongside God's work, encouraging them when depressed, advising them before and when they make mistakes and helping them in their times of need.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYFeyUpW6XQ/WLrre5N-p2I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/t5MQ7p8hlCILXw89BNM65TK3e9vTG6iVACLcB/s1600/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EYFeyUpW6XQ/WLrre5N-p2I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/t5MQ7p8hlCILXw89BNM65TK3e9vTG6iVACLcB/s1600/download-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />4. <u>Money(Malachi 3:8-12)</u>: We may not be able to go on missions, outreaches but we could give towards such, NGOs and sow into Kingdom projects.<br /><br />And the truth is, we can do every one of the MMMMs:<br /><br />1. <u>Ministry</u>: We could evangelise to our neighbours, friends, colleagues, patients or even that stranger we just met in the bus. Some churches and Christian schools also go on Group evangelism.<br />Worried about what to preach? That's not a problem. Your message is just to tell the person about Jesus, your personal experiences and testimonies and leave the rest for the Holy Spirit to finish up.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlrTuvLcPA/WLrtleWmLnI/AAAAAAAAAKE/pN_rlhytXSw7Q1Hbg0XGLx3ZrXm-trjLwCLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2KlrTuvLcPA/WLrtleWmLnI/AAAAAAAAAKE/pN_rlhytXSw7Q1Hbg0XGLx3ZrXm-trjLwCLcB/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>Remember 1 Corinthians 12:3: ".<i>.…No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit."</i><br /><br />2. <u>Missions</u>: You could organize or join outreaches, missions, missionary journeys organized by a church or other Christian organizations targeter at remote villages, communities or even your own area of residence! Not only would you sharpen your skills as a medic, it would serve as a way of serving the society -especially the poor and uneducated and talk to the inhabitants about Christ.<br />Colossians 3:23-24: "<i>And whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ."</i><br /><br />3. <u>Mentoring</u>: There's a saying that goes thus<i>, "I became a mentor because I wanted to give. The thing I didn't realise was how much I had get."</i><br />&nbsp;In fact, it is often said that we learn more when we teach. You may think that you cannot be a good mentor but so long you have once been in the position where someone else is now, you're qualified to be one because you would at least tell the person where you made mistakes and what you had wished you had done that time. You don't need to mentor a whole lot of people. You could start with your junior sibling, a church member, a junior colleague or anyone you happen to encounter one day that needs the advice you know. Not only would you add up to your existing knowledge,you would realise you had skills you never noticed and would impact on someone's life in a way you never could have imagined.<br />2 Timothy 4:12: <i>"Timothy do not let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example to all believers in speech, in life,in love, in faith, and in all purity."</i><br /><br />4. <u>Money</u>: <i>"No one has ever become poor by giving."&nbsp;</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_VuHQtVC8o/WLrvTy7iKxI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GmLD_Ye2M7A-7Y1ITfw9ji7A-nDctk3aQCLcB/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_VuHQtVC8o/WLrvTy7iKxI/AAAAAAAAAKU/GmLD_Ye2M7A-7Y1ITfw9ji7A-nDctk3aQCLcB/s1600/images-2.jpg" /></a></i></div><br />Just the same way as there is the law of gravity,there is also the law of giving. If you give, you receive in on way or the other. &nbsp;Even Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook gives up to 99% of his profits to charity organizations! No matter how small let's all start giving to the poor,to those around us who are in need,to the church, to our pastors, to NGOs, in our tithes or in any other form but just give!<br />Proverbs 11:24: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i>One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>To sum it up, we are called not only to heal the body but also to heal soul and spirit.<br /><br />Luke 4:18: &nbsp;"<i>The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel...He has sent me to heal...." .</i>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-4108100272927688052017-01-22T13:20:00.001-08:002017-06-11T22:07:33.135-07:00Overthrown - Miriam IhuomaFor Nigerians out there( and ofcourse my foreign dear readers), click this link to purchase the epub format of my book on okadabooks.com at a very affordable price: <a href="http://okadabooks.com/book/about/overthrown/13021#.WIUhtjmzKFg.blogger">Overthrown - Miriam Ihuoma</a>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-36607186626952229242017-01-08T14:24:00.004-08:002017-01-09T14:12:14.019-08:00Practical Health TipsDoes it ever bother you why there is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in our society? By non-communicable diseases, I mean diseases like Cardiovascular diseases( HBP, Atherosclerosis, Cardiac arrest), cancers, diabetes,et cetera. We look at our grandparents and great-grandparents and wonder how they were able to live so long. <br />Just last Christmas, I went to my mother's village(Etche-a part of Rivers State) and met an old lady whom her family said was 135 years old! Don't know how true that was but she looked real old, it was believable.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sometimes, I ask myself, "What did our forefathers do that increased their lifespan?" Generally, they lived up to 80 years old at least(ceteris paribus). Today in Nigeria, the average lifespan is about 54 years. Obviously, there are things they did that we are probably missing out in our lifestyle. So, I've decided to point out few things they did that we can apply in our 21st-century culture.<br /><br />1.<u> Diet:</u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PG7A_PATS8/WHK7R33t6-I/AAAAAAAAAHk/xNmuRKyhblwtK4ja1BnEH2NGkHX_R0Y-wCLcB/s1600/fruits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PG7A_PATS8/WHK7R33t6-I/AAAAAAAAAHk/xNmuRKyhblwtK4ja1BnEH2NGkHX_R0Y-wCLcB/s1600/fruits.png" /></a></u></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />By 'diet' I do not mean 'dieting' to lose calories or some other food regime which I can justifiably doubt they did. I mean their diet consisted of more natural foods like fruits, vegies, tuber, beans, meat, fish, etc. Our typical diet has more of processed and packaged foods like canned drinks, ice-cream, hotdogs, fast-foods which have less beneficial nutrients and more calories, fats, oils, preservatives, additives, lots of&nbsp;sugar, too much spice&nbsp;and 'everything nice'(don't think so!)<br /><u>WHAT WE CAN DO</u>: We should eat more of natural foods like I have already mentioned, cook our own food more often so that we are more conscious of what we put inside and take less processed food. Occasionally, we can take juices(I don't mean the packaged ones) made from natural sources like pure vegetable juice or pure fruit juice. Not only do they give us the vital nutrients but they also help in cleansing the body system and getting it rid of toxins.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlwlTMh8TLs/WHK7VE2LReI/AAAAAAAAAHo/d3auGzrKd7I_PAnEfk0_OCWvRcHqC3ZxgCLcB/s1600/exercise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>2.<u>Exercise:</u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlwlTMh8TLs/WHK7VE2LReI/AAAAAAAAAHo/d3auGzrKd7I_PAnEfk0_OCWvRcHqC3ZxgCLcB/s1600/exercise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jlwlTMh8TLs/WHK7VE2LReI/AAAAAAAAAHo/d3auGzrKd7I_PAnEfk0_OCWvRcHqC3ZxgCLcB/s1600/exercise.jpg" /></a></div>Because there were no means of transportation back then, our forefathers had to trek long distances to go to their farms, the forest or to visit someone. They climbed trees to do some palm-wine tapping or for some other reason. In the rivers where they could take their bath or fish, they occasionally swam in it. Now these are all forms of exercises.<br /><u>WHAT WE CAN DO: </u>Exercise more often<u>.</u> A brisk walk or jogging for 30 minutes daily improves blood circulation and burns off the calories. Other forms of exercises like cycling, running and why should I forget to mention dancing and going to the gym&nbsp; can all go a long way in improving our health. The benefits of exercising are:<br /><li class="_AXc">Boost happiness levels</li><li class="_AXc">Reduce your risk of heart disease naturally. ... </li><li class="_AXc">Sleep better. ... </li><li class="_AXc">Get an energy boost. ... </li><li class="_AXc">Increase strength and flexibility. ... </li><li class="_AXc">Improve memory. ... </li><li class="_AXc">Increase self-confidence</li><li class="_AXc"><b>3. Meditation: </b></li><li class="_AXc"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJR-Uuxb8E/WHK7YYcu-7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/2pTnJ9J1jiI6fguAVyWmli-o73_gDpqmACLcB/s1600/meditation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TJR-Uuxb8E/WHK7YYcu-7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/2pTnJ9J1jiI6fguAVyWmli-o73_gDpqmACLcB/s1600/meditation.png" /></a></div><b>The term </b><i>meditation</i><u><span style="color: #0066cc;"> refers to a broad variety of practices t</span></u>hat includes t<u><span style="color: #0066cc;">echniques designed to</span></u> promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi" title="Qi"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">qi</span></sup></a></i>, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reiki" title="Reiki"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">ki</span></sup></a></i>, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana" title="Prana"><span style="color: black;">prana</span></a></i>, etc.) and develop compassion,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation#cite_note-3"><i><span style="font-size: small;">[3]</span></i></a></sup> love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness<br /><b><i><u><span style="color: #0066cc;">Meditation</span></u></i></b> is a practice where an individual trains the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind" title="Mind"><i>mind</i></a> or induces a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness#States_of_consciousness" title="Consciousness"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">mode of consciousness</span></sup></a>, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup> or as an end in itself.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup></li><br /><div class="_AXc">Though our ancestors were not known to be Christians, they were at least known for being spiritual. Ancient religions like Buddhism,, Hinduism and even Judaism all practised meditation. Meditation is important as it it clears the mind and ease many health concerns such as high blood pressure ,depression and anxiety, increases happiness, increases memory and attention, increases wisdom, empathy and compassion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gySw6jAxjKI/WHK7bL2-jZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VNsV6NRaZ60K8bLIR1Eb1iVAY9s27rI7wCLcB/s1600/enjoy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="_AXc"><u>WHAT WE CAN DO: </u>Have a quiet private time for a few minutes or more daily depending on your schedule. It should be away from the hustle and bustle. As a Christian, Prayer time- the time when we commune privately with God, is also a form of meditation. Of course the added benefits are getting to know God better, discover yourself more and answered prayers. In fact, research shows that people with religion and faith&nbsp;are happier, have more 'life-satisfaction' and sustained happiness.</div><div class="_AXc"><br /></div><div class="_AXc">4.<u>Relax and enjoy life more:</u></div><div class="_AXc"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gySw6jAxjKI/WHK7bL2-jZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VNsV6NRaZ60K8bLIR1Eb1iVAY9s27rI7wCLcB/s1600/enjoy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Our ancestors most likely had little too worry about. No air pollution, no taxes to pa<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gySw6jAxjKI/WHK7bL2-jZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VNsV6NRaZ60K8bLIR1Eb1iVAY9s27rI7wCLcB/s1600/enjoy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gySw6jAxjKI/WHK7bL2-jZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VNsV6NRaZ60K8bLIR1Eb1iVAY9s27rI7wCLcB/s1600/enjoy.png" style="cursor: move;" /></a>y, no exams to write( yes o! exams dey tire person abeg), no bosses on their necks, no need to get so much money to get the latest fashion, cars and big houses. Their lives were probably more simple: wake up, go to the farm, care for the home, 'gist' with the family, sleep ( yep, they probably had their own problems pertaining to their own time but you might still agree that their lives were less complicated compared to ousr <u>now). </u></div><div class="_AXc"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gySw6jAxjKI/WHK7bL2-jZI/AAAAAAAAAHw/VNsV6NRaZ60K8bLIR1Eb1iVAY9s27rI7wCLcB/s1600/enjoy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><u>WHAT WE CAN DO: </u>Relax and enjoy life more. Okay, this is easier said than done in this our modern cosmos. Yet, there still lies hope for us. Our lives may be so busy but I believe these little actions may go some way&nbsp;in improving our lives:</div><div class="_AXc">* Smile more</div><div class="_AXc">*Be grateful, appreciate what you have. Believe me there is someone out there who wishes to have what you have or be the way you are.</div><div class="_AXc">*Hang out more with your close loved ones. Don't be so caught up in the affairs of life that they feel neglected and left out.</div><div class="_AXc">* Whenever you have the time and opportunity, do what you're passionate about. Don't get so dictated by your daily affairs that you would wind up later in life regretting why you never did it.</div><div class="_AXc">*Learn new skills, read more, learn more, explore</div><div class="_AXc"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmSCw6D3Yo/WHK7dz73API/AAAAAAAAAH0/BdJCt4mC93sUfJHCefLBDIFvJBBKrQ7VwCLcB/s1600/relax.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmSCw6D3Yo/WHK7dz73API/AAAAAAAAAH0/BdJCt4mC93sUfJHCefLBDIFvJBBKrQ7VwCLcB/s1600/relax.png" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmSCw6D3Yo/WHK7dz73API/AAAAAAAAAH0/BdJCt4mC93sUfJHCefLBDIFvJBBKrQ7VwCLcB/s1600/relax.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>*Play, laugh, be optimistic, dream big. Remember that the future belongs to those that believe in the beauty of their dreams.</div><div class="_AXc"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSmSCw6D3Yo/WHK7dz73API/AAAAAAAAAH0/BdJCt4mC93sUfJHCefLBDIFvJBBKrQ7VwCLcB/s1600/relax.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>*Appreciate who you are, you're special, unique and most importantly YOU. love yourself because your Heavenly Father who made you so wonderfully and saw you as good loves you.</div><div class="_AXc"><br /></div><div class="_AXc">&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you have more suggestions? Please comment below. I hope I've helped in my own way.</div><div class="_AXc"><br /></div><div class="_AXc">Love, </div><div class="_AXc">Mimie.</div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-18121045930085226912016-12-31T15:58:00.001-08:002017-01-08T15:55:41.341-08:00My much loved artistes: RAP NATION and HILLSONG<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6GTdhBf1POI" width="459"></iframe>I was really blessed and moved by these songs and felt I should share them. I hope&nbsp;they would also touch your life as it had touched mine. Please feel free to click and enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a0cvcLy5tFc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a0cvcLy5tFc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>This is 'Anchor' by Hillsong.Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-7085558777686137512016-12-23T09:07:00.004-08:002017-01-11T13:12:10.122-08:00The Father's loveSometimes, I get lost admiring my brother's cuteness and innocence and &nbsp;wonder how I came to love my little brother so much. I used to think I developed love for him when I first saw him as a newborn but now I know. I actually started developping love for him even before he was born. Before he was born, I had dreams of a having a brother and would look at pictures of babies in baby magazines with him in mind when my mum was pregnant with him. These planted that seed of love I would have for my brother to come. That seed of love only grew stronger the very moment I saw him for the first time.<br /><i>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;'I started developing love for him even before he was born'.</i><br />Does this remind you of something? Well for me, it does. It reminds me of our heavenly Father, God.<br /><br />Before we were born, there may have been people who were expecting us excitedly. They had already bought baby things for us, thought of our names and were ready to make sacrifices to take care of us. You could say, the moment they discovered we were in our mommy's tummy, it ignited that fire of love towards us in them.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;But what about the One who created us; that even before we were in the womb already:<br />1. had us in mind. Isaiah 46:3b: I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWwUWf3Q2Zg/WF1R19NY1FI/AAAAAAAAAGw/H9IDDnEZMhkRaOvmSVV23x9CsEdlNJ3GACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWwUWf3Q2Zg/WF1R19NY1FI/AAAAAAAAAGw/H9IDDnEZMhkRaOvmSVV23x9CsEdlNJ3GACLcB/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />2. made plans concerning us. Genesis 1:26-27: Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, to be like us....[27] So God created human beings in His own image.<br /><br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqbZ4uFrEzA/WF1RiZgxm8I/AAAAAAAAAGo/6BTtrv3qAXU1zAoLVz69eRzNSs46JkIUQCLcB/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqbZ4uFrEzA/WF1RiZgxm8I/AAAAAAAAAGo/6BTtrv3qAXU1zAoLVz69eRzNSs46JkIUQCLcB/s1600/images-3.jpg" /></a>3. knew what our purpose would be. Isaiah 49:1b: The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb He called me by name.<br /><br />4. (Embryology students are familiar with this part) Each day,each week, He carefully transformed us from zygote to morula to bilaminar disc to trilaminar disc to embryo to foetus.(I assure you this is is very complex) Psalm 139:13-17:You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body...[15] You watched me as I was being formed...[16]You saw me before I was born...[17] How precious are your thoughts about me, O God....<br /><br />He knew we would be born into sin but He still wants us to be with Him someday so He sent Jesus to die for us. John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that He sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phdt9byEvCc/WF1RxcUu6VI/AAAAAAAAAGs/0IINp-6ut4gxHd0XTemJX3brFTlJy_kZwCLcB/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-phdt9byEvCc/WF1RxcUu6VI/AAAAAAAAAGs/0IINp-6ut4gxHd0XTemJX3brFTlJy_kZwCLcB/s320/images-1.jpg" width="304" /></a><br />We are still alive? Who is keeping us and why? Jeremiah 29:11:&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; max-height: 999999px;">to give you an expected end</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We have gone through our worst periods yet survived. How? Mattew 28:20b: And be sure of this, I am with you always , even to the ends of the earth.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Dear reader, what message am I trying to pass? God loves us. Even if:</span></span><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6nB4_tm_Eg/WF1Ra95yn4I/AAAAAAAAAGk/QIz3uuyQ7lYbsAihgCryu9RuBEzBlAefQCLcB/s1600/images-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6nB4_tm_Eg/WF1Ra95yn4I/AAAAAAAAAGk/QIz3uuyQ7lYbsAihgCryu9RuBEzBlAefQCLcB/s320/images-5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">1. the world turns their back on us, He says in Isaiah 49:15-16: "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has born? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you![16] See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in My mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins(&nbsp;<b>PARAPHRASE:&nbsp;</b><i>always in my mind is a picture of you even in your most down broken moments).</i></span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">2.our close ones leave us, He says in : Isaiah 44:21b: I,the Lord made you, and I will not forget you.</span></span><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkFOKhyNWU8/WF1SS1lVUUI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GUNg9TEj-J4wUehqr7xjimAiwf0Hi693gCLcB/s1600/608fef03621889bab7759775fa4e1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkFOKhyNWU8/WF1SS1lVUUI/AAAAAAAAAHA/GUNg9TEj-J4wUehqr7xjimAiwf0Hi693gCLcB/s320/608fef03621889bab7759775fa4e1588.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Isaiah 43:1-2: But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you...[20] When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">3. others have written us off as trash, He says in 1 Samuel 16:7b: The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart."</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">4. we may have condemned ourselves as too dirty to make it to heaven, He says in Ezekiel 18:24.: " Do you think that I like to see the wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live!</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Ephesians 2:4: But God is so rich in mercy and He loves us so much</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">5. we feel we are worth nothing with nothing of value to contribute to the world, we are not the first people to be in this situation. Look at Isaiah 49:4: I replied," But my work seems useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand; I will trust God for my reward.[5] And now the Lord speaks- the One who formed me in my mother's womb to be His servant...[6] He says,"... I will make you a light to the Gentiles,..." [7] The Lord, the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by nations,...: "Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the Faithful One,The Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."</span></span><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4WOMsMcoQI/WF1Sbtam8ZI/AAAAAAAAAHE/iHTqtYsuwjQ9zG700WJQSHRxvvNbgdyDACLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4WOMsMcoQI/WF1Sbtam8ZI/AAAAAAAAAHE/iHTqtYsuwjQ9zG700WJQSHRxvvNbgdyDACLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp;He loves us despite our imperfections, disabilities, shortcomings, flaws,failures,mistakes, past and background. I John 3:1a: See how very much Our Father loves us, for He calls us His children and that is what we are!</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Ephesians 1:4: Even before He made the world, God loves us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.[5] God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We are no mistake; we are planned. Jeremiah 1:5:"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart...</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">We were loved even before we came to earth, we are still loved, we will always be loved... by our Heavenly Father, Jehovah God.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJuPNsejtg/WF1SJNzUZPI/AAAAAAAAAG4/xniPHIcDbqIPLsFCmkVxs39RPae1UXklgCLcB/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKJuPNsejtg/WF1SJNzUZPI/AAAAAAAAAG4/xniPHIcDbqIPLsFCmkVxs39RPae1UXklgCLcB/s320/images-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: , &quot;helveticaneue&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Romans 8:35-39: Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity or are persecuted or hungry or destitute or in danger or threatened with death?....[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever seperaye us from God's love...[39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below- indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed Christ Jesus Our Lord.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcUYcz6e8uo/WF1RPTu_SLI/AAAAAAAAAGg/UejA6sVdIS8eNySs5FO42z1ViDBKiDU9gCLcB/s1600/images-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcUYcz6e8uo/WF1RPTu_SLI/AAAAAAAAAGg/UejA6sVdIS8eNySs5FO42z1ViDBKiDU9gCLcB/s1600/images-4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can click the video below to listen to an uplifting song by Hillsong about God, the Father.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/t01Zn-DrHwc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t01Zn-DrHwc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-64821040837164255172016-12-21T16:01:00.000-08:002016-12-21T16:01:06.148-08:00The Little Things That Matter <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJDCO41vKbI/WFsXnLGRd3I/AAAAAAAAAGA/f-Dva4ZeXyUpR2sOzHjCb1lsX_IG7QicACLcB/s1600/drops%2Bof%2Bwater.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJDCO41vKbI/WFsXnLGRd3I/AAAAAAAAAGA/f-Dva4ZeXyUpR2sOzHjCb1lsX_IG7QicACLcB/s1600/drops%2Bof%2Bwater.png" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are in the 21</span><sup><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> century- often called the ‘jet age’ – the period when everything seems to move fast…well like a jet. We eat fast food, drive fast-moving cars, we send messages to any part of the world within seconds thanks to the internet, even children grow fast because of the prevalent media.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If we were to come down to our goals and dreams, we want to achieve them fast. We want to lose as many pounds possible within a month. As students, we are already holding down jobs. We want to be famous already so we have thousands of friends on Facebook and Twitter. We want to make money fast… so we do MMM, icharity, Giversforum, Bitcoin,Bet 9ja and other similar networking businesses.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I admit, I too am guilty of this. As a girl still living under her parents, I crave independence sometimes. I want to start making my own money. I want to be what I want to be not in years to come but now.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2016, Nigeria experienced the ‘BOOM’ of networking businesses aka online making quick money schemes that are not illegal. Everywhere you go, every call you get, every social network, the question that comes your way is: ‘Have you heard of MMM/Ultimatecycler/Help2get…etc. They all had amazing different offers but one thing they all had in common: An assurance that you would yield stupendous profits- even up to 90%- of whatever you invested into them.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp; So I involved myself in two or three of them and you could guess why. In particularly one, I put in the largest sum I had ever invested in the networking business (don’t worry, it was not even up to a quarter of a N100k but it was still big for me :/). I was told that within one week, I had get four times what I had put in. One week passed and it never came. I was downcast. Two weeks, then three weeks…then still nothing. I ‘mourned’ for my loss. All I wanted to do was to make quick money as long as it did not involve illegal means and it did not work out.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;&nbsp; One day during my ‘mourning’ period, the water supply finished in my house. I had put </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">on the tap but only drops came out. I left a bucket under it anyway. Some hours later, I came back to it. The bucket was full to the brim and overflowing. No, the water supply was not back neither was the tap flowing normally. Matter of fact, it still trickled out water but because the bucket had remained under it for hours, it had eventually got full.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp;&nbsp; I learned a lesson that day: It’s the little things that matter.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All it took to fill up that bucket were the drops of water that never stopped coming. All it takes for a toddler to start walking is one wobbling toddle at a time. All it takes for water to boil is that 1-degree rise in temperature. All it takes to finish one book is one page at a time. All it takes to get to the end of a staircase is one step at a time. All it takes to make a building is one block at a time. All it takes to grow a church is one soul more each service. All it takes to create another generation is a baby to be born. All it takes to make a millennium is one day more. (Can you give more examples? Write them in the comment box below </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So you see, it is not the big things that really matter but the small things. Remove the small things that make up the big thing one by one, you had end up with nothing.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If I want to be an artist, I have to consistently practise even if it means making sketches. If I want to lose weight, I have to eat right and exercise each day. If I want to succeed and achieve my goals, I have to work hard towards it every day.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We want to be successful, fulfil our purpose, be millionaires but all that won’t happen overnight or even over months. It may take years to come but that effort we put in everyday is what will take us closer to our dreams.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That small smile we give out may be all it takes to brighten up someone’s mood. That little prayer we make each day is what draws our miracles closer. A short sentence: ‘I love you’ (but said with sincerity! ) can save people from feelings of loneliness, sadness, depression or worse. And better: it makes a person feel valuable and loved.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">&nbsp; So let’s not feel bad if we have not achieved our goals yet. I would never forget what a cartoon character I once watched on TV said, ‘I may not be where I want to be but I am better than I was yesterday’. Neither should we be so hard on ourselves if we made mistakes along the way. After all, the only people who don’t make mistakes at all are only those who never do anything.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Experience is a teacher and each day another opportunity to start again. Remember whatever we want to be or get just requires that extra something.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No doubt the Bible agrees with me on this. See what it says in:</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Zechariah 4:10</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Job 4:10</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: “And though you started with little, you will end with much.”</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7.0pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isaiah 60:2</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">: “The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord will make it happen.”</span></div>Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-78307576718798380042016-11-20T10:18:00.001-08:002017-08-17T00:28:21.838-07:00Overthrown<br />Hey novel readers! Do you know you can read my first published ebook 'Overthrown' ?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWv672NSzOQ/WDKMUP7lRoI/AAAAAAAAAFg/LogHuytwsMw8XLYEhqFSJM6GBa7gkgx3ACEw/s1600/QgC3W41479577598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWv672NSzOQ/WDKMUP7lRoI/AAAAAAAAAFg/LogHuytwsMw8XLYEhqFSJM6GBa7gkgx3ACEw/s320/QgC3W41479577598.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Here are some links to follow to get it in soft copy:<br /><br />1. smashwords.com: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/691394<br /><br />2. amazon.com : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MYB0HLJ<br /><br />3. wattpad.com : https://www.wattpad.com/story/57565760-overthrown-projectnigeriauc2017<br /><br />4. myebookhub.com : http://myebookhub.com/downloads/overthrown/<br /><br />5. "Overthrown" on okadabooks.com : http://www.okadabooks.com/book/about/overthrown/13021<br /><br />&nbsp;Simply go to www.smashwords.com and search for 'Overthrown'. It would come up. Click on it to buy and get it in any format you want: pdf, epub, pdb, etc<br /><br />The good news is that it is also available on other websites for purchase like: 'Barnes and Noble', 'Kobo', 'Scribd', 'Hive.co.uk', 'Baker &amp; Taylor' and many other eBook platforms. To search for it on these websites, type 'Overthrown by Mimie'.<br /><br />If you are Nigerian, you could purchase it at www.okadabooks.com. To search for&nbsp;it on the website, simply type 'Overthrown' and it would come up. Preferably,&nbsp;you could email me&nbsp;at florah340@gmail.com to order. Then I would send you the Pdf or Word format.<br /><br />Please feel free to&nbsp;comment on the book&nbsp;here or by email. I would love to get a feedback from you. :)<br /><br />Thanks!Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-71032832582152165342016-11-11T04:06:00.002-08:002017-01-08T15:59:00.465-08:00Students in networking business<u>STUDENTS IN NETWORKING BUSINESS</u><br /><u><br /></u>"The most important piece of advice I would give to a student in college is don't start looking for a job your last semester or after you graduate. Job hunting begins with networking, interning, having a part-time job in a field of interest prior to graduation," Randy Harrison.<br /><br />&nbsp; It's no news students can generate income through the internet while in school. Internet businesses are less stressful, less distracting and reduces job hunting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-708EAr6U_G4/WCWz6oLB36I/AAAAAAAAAEM/lS2VnmHbI6c-P8wIBa6ZkqI53wBDcpKFgCLcB/s1600/download-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-708EAr6U_G4/WCWz6oLB36I/AAAAAAAAAEM/lS2VnmHbI6c-P8wIBa6ZkqI53wBDcpKFgCLcB/s1600/download-9.jpg" /></a></div><br />Internet businesses include:<br /><br />1. Selling used products on classified ads like OLX, JIJI.<br /><br />2. Get paid for online tutoring jobs on sites like tutor.com, tutorcare.com.<br /><br />3. Get paid for writing articles on sites like iwriter.com, writerlance.com.<br /><br />4. Create an online store where you sell personal creations or services.<br /><br />5. You could sell last semester books on sites like eBay, Amazon, Cash4Books.com.<br /><br />6. Register on YouTube, post videos and get paid as viewers watch them.<br /><br />7. Write books for EBook and sell them.<br /><br />8. Register in sites like stockxpert.com, photoshelter.com, upload pictures and get paid as people download them.<br /><br />Look for sites where you can make honest money. Don't wait until the last minute! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmiAANSq4cU/WCW0Igjfw1I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/cMSkfFlTHO81JLHk53s1KQ2TcoQ2c_AMACLcB/s1600/images-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmiAANSq4cU/WCW0Igjfw1I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/cMSkfFlTHO81JLHk53s1KQ2TcoQ2c_AMACLcB/s1600/images-12.jpg" /></a></div>Start small.<br /><br />Job 8:7: "Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase."Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-77153434096645009582016-11-11T03:48:00.005-08:002017-01-09T14:23:43.497-08:0020 quotes on why you should never give up<u>20 quotes on why you should never give up</u><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfMpw_NEMZE/WCWx7HkPkII/AAAAAAAAAD4/WhwqamB2vx0wS8BAxtdbcNobnArE6bj7wCLcB/s1600/download-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfMpw_NEMZE/WCWx7HkPkII/AAAAAAAAAD4/WhwqamB2vx0wS8BAxtdbcNobnArE6bj7wCLcB/s1600/download-6.jpg" /></a></div><br />1. 'When you feel like quitting, think about why you started' - Judith .A. Khan<br /><br />2.'Don't be so hard on yourself, you are a work in progress.' - Judith .A. Khan<br /><br />3. 'If you feel like giving up, just look back on how far you are already.' - Anonymous.<br /><br />4.'Never give up on something you really want. It's difficult to wait but worse to regret.' - Unknown<br /><br />5. 'Never give up. Great things take time.' - Unknown.<br /><br />6. 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.' - Thomas Edison<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0PsYYqH-mI/WCWyE-p1RAI/AAAAAAAAAD8/yjewcai5xjotl3NzHbFMixbymFKvfM0KQCLcB/s1600/download-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b0PsYYqH-mI/WCWyE-p1RAI/AAAAAAAAAD8/yjewcai5xjotl3NzHbFMixbymFKvfM0KQCLcB/s1600/download-8.jpg" /></a></div><br />7. 'It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.' - Vince Lambordi<br /><br />8. ' Never give up. The beginning is always the hardest.' - Anonymous.<br /><br />9. ' Your dreams are your life's purpose. Never give up'.- an adage.<br /><br />10. 'Never give up on your dream just because of the time it would take to accomplish it. Time would pass anyway.' - Earl Nightengale<br /><br />11. 'Throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack.' - Unknown.<br /><br />12. 'You get out of life what you put into it. You have to keep on practicing, keep on rehearsing and believe. Never give up believing in your dreams.' - Not known.<br /><br />13. 'Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.' - unknown speaker<br /><br />14. 'Don't cry about the past, it's gone. Don't stress about the future, it has not arrived. Live in the present and make it beautiful.' - Someone.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DorXDlMWBQ/WCWyOkOgshI/AAAAAAAAAEA/rIpInJw1l-YFCmdGJqLkRdagd5BJqfwigCLcB/s1600/images-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DorXDlMWBQ/WCWyOkOgshI/AAAAAAAAAEA/rIpInJw1l-YFCmdGJqLkRdagd5BJqfwigCLcB/s1600/images-11.jpg" /></a></div><br />15. 'God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a gift for your faithfulness.' - Unknown speaker<br /><br />16. 'No one makes a lock without a key, that is why God won't give you problems without solutions.'- Somebody said this<br /><br />17. ' Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.' - Mohammed Ali<br /><br />18. 'A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the oppurtuniy in every difficulty.' - Wiston Churchill<br /><br />19. 'Never give up. Go over, go under, go around or go through but never give up.' - Anonymous.<br /><br />20.'It's hard to wait for something that might not happen but it's harder to give up when you know it is everything you ever wanted.' - Unknown.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCLTQ7BaUUQ/WCWyXn4C87I/AAAAAAAAAEE/Yk3tkZDIw4QqMYsIva01voysHLUbkf-NACLcB/s1600/download-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCLTQ7BaUUQ/WCWyXn4C87I/AAAAAAAAAEE/Yk3tkZDIw4QqMYsIva01voysHLUbkf-NACLcB/s1600/download-7.jpg" /></a></div><br />Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281144533987357602.post-18022404132465766102016-11-11T03:48:00.002-08:002018-03-18T03:25:11.522-07:00Is God taking a nap?<u>IS HE TAKING A NAP?</u><br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Is God aware of what I am going through? Does He care? Did I do something so wrong that made Him turn His back on me and not take me as His child anymore? Maybe He's just taking a nap?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNJjckbDI8s/WCWvibMfuqI/AAAAAAAAADs/6UyzTQA6Ra8LHARTyf4l-KjGETVnZ6Y1ACLcB/s1600/download-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNJjckbDI8s/WCWvibMfuqI/AAAAAAAAADs/6UyzTQA6Ra8LHARTyf4l-KjGETVnZ6Y1ACLcB/s1600/download-5.jpg" /></a></div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; How often do typical questions come to our minds especially when we are passing through crises or when watching a loved one suffer. During such times, everything seems to be against us and we begin to lose hope. We may wonder if serving God is worth it. After all,we have prayed, fasted, obeyed Him and yet it seems to no avail.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Whether we going through such hard times, have gone through such or have never been there, God has given us His word to help us overcome and strengthen our faith in Him. Here are a few faith-building verses:<br /><br />1. Numbers 23:19 : God is not a man,that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The word of God- the Bible- is one of the many ways God speaks to us, therefore we should read and believe. READ ALSO: Isaiah 55:11.<br /><br />2. ROMANS 8:35 : Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; We should never forget that God loves us no matter our imperfections, sins or trials we face. READ ALSO : Romans 8:31-39, John 3:16.<br /><br />3. ISAIAH 43:2 : When thee passesst through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;God is with us no matter what we go through and wherever we are. READ ALSO: Isaiah 43:1-6, Isaiah 41:9-10, Proverbs 3:25-26.<br /><br />4. 1 PETER 3:12 : For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We should always bear in mind that God cares about us. READ ALSO :Luke 12:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 59:1.<br /><br />5. MATTHEW 7:11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We ought to keep on praying in faith, without doubt and without giving up. READ ALSO: Romans 8:32, Luke18:1-8, James 1:6-7, Matthew 7:7-11, Matthew 21:22.<br /><br />6. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 : There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;God knows our capacities and will not let us go through a trial beyond our capacities. We are not the first people in that kind of situation and our going through it means we have the potentials to not only overcome but to discover ourselves more and emerge as better people. READ ALSO: 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 12:19, Luke 6:40, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 12:6-11, James 1:2-4.<br /><br />7. ISAIAH 55:8: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We may not understand why certain things happen like losing a loved one for instance, but we must depend on Him because He knows best and the reason why He allowed it. READ ALSO: Romans 8:28, Matthew 6: 30-34, 1 Corinthians 2:16.<br /><br />8. JAMES 4:3: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sometimes, we do not get answers to our prayers not because God does not hear us but we ask for the wrong things. We should keep in check that what we are asking is in line with God's word. At times, God has better things for us so He does not give us what we ask at that time. READ ALSO : Ephesians 4:20, Matthew 6:33.<br /><br />9. ISAIAH 43:18: Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We have made mistakes in the past and we did not always get the answer we wanted from God but those should never be reasons to get discouraged from asking God for something or to see ourselves as unworthy of asking God anything. READ ALSO: Philippians 3:13-14, Isaiah 43:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17.<br /><br />10. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The Bible assures us that if we persevere till the end, God would bring us out of the 'pit' and reward us and if not here on earth but in heaven also. READ ALSO: James 1:12-13, John 5:4-5, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 2:9.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;We are not the first through tough times; Ecclesiastes 1:9 puts it this way:History merely repeats itself. It has all be done before. Nothing under the sun is new (New Living Translation). Biblical characters like Job, David, Daniel, Paul and even our Lord Jesus as wall as renowned pastors like Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor Oyedepo also had their fair share of trials. Dr Chris Kwavpovwe -the founder and writer of 'Our Daily Manna' devotional- attempted suicide out of depression but God saved him and today, this devotional book blesses people and heals the depressed. Pastor David Ibiyeomie at a point could only give 50 naira as offering(it was his biggest and all he had at that time) and sipped garri day in and day out but he continued serving God and kept believing. Today he is a well-known pastor of prosperity and is worth more than billions of naira.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;What we pass through is not meant to break us but to build us, neither is it meant to ruin us but to refine us. So we should keep us believing and looking up to God, think positively, dream big, take bold steps, rise after each fall(Proverbs 24:16) and in due season we would receive our rewards. A Chinese proverbs goes: 'Just as diamond cannot be polished without friction, man cannot be perfected without trials.'Mimiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554328908567096221noreply@blogger.com2